| Q: |
Why
does The Florida Bar have a program for certifying a lawyer
as a specialist in an area of law? |
| A: |
Board
certification helps consumers find a lawyer who has demonstrated
ability and experience in specialized fields of law. Certification
helps lawyers too by giving them a way to make known their experience
to the public and other lawyers. By requiring a lawyer to continue
his or her legal education in specialty fields, certification
also helps improve competence. |
 |
| Q: |
In what areas of the law can a lawyer be certified as a specialist? |
| A: |
 |
Admiralty
and Maritime |
 |
|
Appellate
Law |
|
Aviation
Law |
|
Business
Litigation |
|
Civil
Trial |
|
City,
County and Local Government |
|
Criminal
Law |
| |
|
Trial |
| |
|
Appellate |
|
Health
Law |
|
Immigration
and Nationality |
|
Marital
and Family Law |
|
Real
Estate Law |
|
Tax
Law |
|
Wills,
Trusts and Estates |
|
Workers'
Compensation |
|
|
| Q: |
How does a lawyer qualify? |
| A: |
To
become a certified specialist, a lawyer must:
|
be
an active member in good standing of The Florida Bar; |
|
have
practiced law for a minimum of five years; |
|
pass a written examination in the specialty area; |
|
demonstrate substantial experience in the specialty area; |
|
complete approved continuing legal education programs; and |
|
have the ability and experience in the specialty field favorably evaluated by judges and other lawyers. |
|
|
| Q: |
How long is a lawyer certified? |
| A: |
Certification is granted for five years. To be recertified, requirements similar to those for initial certification must be met. |
|
| Q: |
How many Florida lawyers have attained board certification as a specialist? |
| A: |
More than 3,100 lawyers are currently certified by the Board of Legal Specialization and Education, which administers the certification program. |
|
| Q: |
How can consumers know whether a lawyer is a certified specialist? |
| A: |
Only a lawyer certified by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education is entitled to state that he or she is "board certified" or a "specialist" on business cards, letterhead, in legal directories and yellow pages of telephone directories. In addition, certified lawyer directories are published annually and sent to libraries and local bar associations throughout Florida. Consumers may also contact the office of The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. |
|
