What is Board Certification?
Board certification legitimizes a lawyers’ exceptional knowledge, wisdom, skills, and expertise in the numerous fields of law. It also recognizes ethics and professionalism in the practice. Board certified attorneys are graded on their professionalism and evaluated in their particular area of expertise.
Becoming a board certified attorney requires the highest level of proficiency and experience of lawyers in the 24 area Supreme Court of Florida approved attorney certification.
The Florida Supreme Court organized the board certification in order to assist consumers with identifying attorneys with a particular expertise in one of the many areas of law. Zimmerman & Frachtman certified attorneys are the only lawyers permitted to refer to themselves as “Board Certified,” “Experts,” “Specialist,” or to use the letters “B.C.S” on any form of advertising.
How Are Lawyers Evaluated?
Only seven percent of eligible Bar members, which are approximately 4600 attorneys, are board certified. An attorney who is a member of the Bar, is in good standing, and meets the state’s Supreme Court standards, may become certified in at least one of the board’s certification fields.
Minimum requirements for certification are listed below; each area of certification may contain additional or higher qualifications.
- A minimum of five years practicing law.
- Ability to demonstrate extensive involvement in the particular field of law for which certification is applied for.
- Complete a satisfactory peer assessment of proficiency in the field of expertise. Successfully pass a peer assessment of in the area of character, professionalism, and ethics in law practice.
- Successfully demonstrate the ability to stay current with the certification’s continuing legal educational requirements.
- Meet a strict criteria to bypass the exam or successfully pass the required examination.
- Once certified, the board certification is good for 5 years. During that time frame, board certified attorneys must continue to actively practice law and attend Bar-approved continuing educational classes.
In order to be re-certified, members must meet similar requirements as those met during their first certification. Not all qualified attorneys are board certified, but the ones that are have taken extra measures to have their experience and competence evaluated.
Find A Board Certified Attorney
If your are in need of an experienced and professional Board Certified attorney in Florida, contact Zimmerman & Frachtman today.