Distingsuished Associations & Memberships

Barry S. Franklin is Florida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law. While many lawyers "dabble" in marital and family law matters and others might have some portion of their practice devoted to marital and family law matters, only those who have met the requirements of the Florida Bar Board Certification requirements are allowed by the Florida Bar to identify themselves as a "specialist" in Marital and Family Law. Of approximately 70,000 lawyers licensed by the State of Florida (as of 2003) only 247 are board certified by the Florida Bar in the area of marital and family law.

Certification is the highest-level recognition...

Certified lawyers in marital and family law are specialists who handle legal problems arising from the family relationship of husband and wife and parent and child, including litigation of civil controversies arising from those relationships. In addition to actual pretrial and trial processes, "marital and family law" includes evaluating, handling, and resolving controversies prior to the institution of suit and after judgment is entered.

Every lawyer certified in marital and family law has practiced law for at least five years and been substantially involved -- 30 percent or more -- in the practice of marital and family law during the five years immediately preceding application. To be certified, it must be verified that the lawyer has been involved in at least 25 contested marital and family law cases in circuit courts during the five years immediately preceding application. All of these cases must have involved substantial legal or factual issues other than the dissolution of marriage. In each of these 25 cases the applicant shall have been responsible for all or a majority of the presentation of evidence and representation of the client. At least 10 of the 25 cases trials, i.e., must have been submitted to the trier of fact for resolution.

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is an organization of the nation's top matrimonial attorneys who specialize in all issues related to marriage, divorce, annulment, custody, child visitation, property valuation, property distribution, alimony, and child support.

The Academy was founded in 1962 "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 preserved."
The Academy currently has chapters in 33 states and the District of Columbia, which conduct local continuing education programs, participate in the legislative process and engage in a variety of other activities to serve the public and to improve the practice of matrimonial law.

Membership in the Florida Chapter of the academy is open to qualified matrimonial attorneys throughout the State of Florida. In order to be considered for membership in the Florida chapter an attorney must have practiced for at least 5 years; must be Florida Bar Board Certified in Marital and Family Law; devote at least 75% of his or her practice to Marital and Family Law; must pass a rigorous test administered at the national level on national and federal laws that relate to Marital and Family Law; must pass a rigorous oral examination administered by Fellows of the Florida Chapter and must pass a peer review. Of approximately 70,000 lawyers licensed by the State of Florida (as of 2003) there are only 74 lawyers that are fellows in the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.