What Is a Board Certified Lawyer & Why Does It Matter?
Posted on: October 13, 2022
Learn what makes a board certified lawyer and why it should matter to you.
If you’ve seen a commercial for a lawyer recently, you’ve undoubtedly heard all about that attorney’s success rate, education, and anything else that makes them qualified to represent you.
You may even have heard the phrase “board certified lawyer.” And this might have caused some confusion.
Aren’t ALL lawyers board certified? Why is that worth bragging about?
In this article, we’ll go over exactly what it takes to become a board certified attorney (and why it matters to you).
Aren’t All Lawyers Board Certified?
All lawyers, in order to practice law, must be licensed by the state bar organization where they hold their practice.
The Florida Bar, governed by the Florida Supreme Court, is the one and only organization that licenses attorneys in the state of Florida. All Florida lawyers must be members of the Florida State Bar.
But a licensed lawyer is not the same thing as a board certified lawyer.
What Does Board Certified Mean?
A Board Certification, on the other hand, is a higher standard of approval issued by the state bar to recognize an advanced level of knowledge, expertise, professionalism, and ethics.
Becoming a board certified lawyer is one of the highest achievements an attorney can reach in their career.
The Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization and Education (BLSE) issues board certifications in 27 areas of law, each with a stringent set of requirements, and to become board certified, lawyers must successfully complete and meet certain requirements.
These requirements vary based on the area of law, but typically include the following:
- A certain number of years practicing law
- A “substantial involvement” in the legal specialization prior to applying for board certification
- A certain number of hours of continuing legal education in the specialty area
- A peer review
- A written examination
Furthermore, board certification only lasts for five years. If they want to maintain a board certified status, attorneys must complete multiple certification programs throughout their careers.
Don’t be shy about asking your lawyer whether or not they are board certified.
Why You Should Choose a Board Certified Law Firm
If you find yourself in a situation that calls for legal assistance, you deserve the highest quality legal assistance you can find. If you’re dealing with the fallout of a car accident, you want a certified personal injury lawyer handling your case rather than just any licensed lawyer. As with any service, you want to choose the person with the most experience and expertise and the best reviews.
Board certified lawyers are the top attorneys in their chosen field of specialization. Working with a board certified law firm that specializes in the area of law you’re facing gives you the best chance at a favorable outcome.
Having a board certified attorney is a lot like seeing a medical specialist. Just as doctors can choose to specialize in an area of medicine, lawyers can specialize in an area of law. Hiring an attorney with the wrong expertise would be like trusting a pediatrician with your brain surgery.
Beers & Gordon: Board Certified Civil Trial Attorneys
At Beers & Gordon, David Beers has maintained a board certification in civil trial law since 1984. Out of more than 90,000 lawyers in Florida, only 1% of them are board certified civil trial lawyers.
But what exactly does this mean?
Civil trial lawyers specialize in the procedures that govern civil (as opposed to criminal) trials in the state of Florida. They are experts at presenting and examining evidence, cross-examining, and all other aspects of a courtroom trial.
Like many other attorneys throughout the state of Florida, our practice areas include personal injury and business litigation cases. But unlike most of those attorneys, we are uniquely qualified to take a case all the way to court.
Being so familiar with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure means that we can put our time and energy toward winning your case, rather than re-learning the rules of the courtroom.
Schedule your free consultation today to see how we can help you.