Why a Florida Law License Stays in Florida
Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years
It’s a question we hear more often than you’d expect. If a lawyer holds a Florida law license and is in good standing, why can’t they just handle a case in another state, or across state lines, if they’re willing to do the work?
A Law License Is a State-Specific Grant of Authority
The short answer is that a law license isn’t a general credential like a college degree.It’s a grant of authority from a specific state’s supreme court. It’s tied to that state’s rules, and it doesn’t travel on its own.
Each state runs its own bar admission process. Each state’s supreme court holds the sole authority to decide who may practice law within its borders. Passing the Florida Bar means the Florida Supreme Court has vetted and authorized a lawyer.
How This Applies to Our Practice
The attorneys at the Law Office of Michael P. Maddux, P.A. hold a Florida law license through the Florida Supreme Court, which is why we center our practice on Florida state and federal courts. It’s also why we’re upfront when a client’s matter crosses state lines. We bring in local counsel or handle the case through proper admission, rather than stepping outside the bounds of our license.