OHIO CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MATRIMONIAL LAWYERS
Thank you very much to the more than 375 attorneys, magistrates and judges who attended the 2016 Harold R. Kemp Annual Family Law Symposium. The 2016 program continued a long history of successful and well attended seminars on Columbus Day in Columbus, Ohio...[Continue]
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FELLOWS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MATRIMONIAL LAWYERS are recognized for having advanced skills in the practice of family law. To be considered for admission, a lawyer must be an experienced practitioner with a significant proportion of his or her practice in the area of family law. Applicants must complete a detailed application describing significant matters in which they acted as counsel. They must obtain recommendations from their peers, opposing counsel, and members of the judiciary. They must pass a national examination pertaining to all aspects of family law, including taxation, federally enacted statutes and international conventions. Members of the Ohio Chapter are elected to two-year terms to fill the offices of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer to oversee the Chapter's operations. Fellows are appointed to various committees that are formed to accomplish the Chapter's commitment to improving the practice of family law and enhancing the welfare of families. The national organization's website can be accessed with the following link: AAML.ORG
PURPOSE To encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the cause of matrimonial law, to the end that the welfare of the family and society be protected.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE Divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, prenuptial agreements, allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, shared parenting, parenting time, property valuation and division, identification of marital and separate property, and spousal and child support.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
1. The applicant must be a practicing attorney who has been admitted to the bar of any state for:
A minimum of ten years if for a period of five years immediately preceding the date of the application, 75% of the applicant's practice has been in the area of matrimonial law. This 75% practice requirement shall be an average percentage provided that in each of the last three years, the applicant shall have at least 75% of their practice in the area of matrimonial law. The Ohio Chapter's Board of Examiners shall determine if an applicant practices in a geographical area where the 75% requirement would be impossible or impractical. If this is determined, the applicant shall have had 50% of his or her practice devoted to the field of matrimonial law during the five years immediately preceding the date of the application. This 50% practice requirement shall be an average percentage so long as during each of the last three years the applicant's practice in the area of matrimonial law is 50%: or
A minimum of five years if during the immediate preceding five-year period 90% of the applicant's practice has been in the area of matrimonial law.
2. The applicant must be recognized by the bench and bar in his or her jurisdiction as an expert practitioner in the matrimonial law area.
3. Each applicant must demonstrate substantial involvement in the matrimonial field and have endeavored to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the cause of matrimonial law. This may include the following:
Member in good standing of the applicant's local and state bar, or national bar association, and the family law section of each association.
Faculty member of continuing education presentations in the area of matrimonial law.
Service as a family law pro tem or trial judge or settlement judge, or master, guardian ad litem, attorney ad litem, attorney for minor child, mediator, arbitrator, or similar equivalent in the applicant's jurisdiction.
Service on a standing committee or executive committee of the family law section of the applicant's state or local bar association, or the family law section of a national bar association.
Service as an officer or director of any bar association.
Authorship of published articles on matrimonial law.
Participation as amicus curiae in matrimonial law matter presented to any appellate court.
Significant activity or contribution, including pro bono work, related to matrimonial law.
Faculty member for law school courses in the area of matrimonial law.
Editor or publisher of any matrimonial law newsletter, journal or similar publication.
Authorship of a major treatise on marital law.
Service on a committee related to matrimonial law certification in the applicant's state.