Recognition

Why Choose Board Certified

Board Certification is a mark of excellence and a distinguishing accomplishment.
Within the Texas legal community, Board Certification means an attorney has substantial, relevant experience in a select field of law as well as demonstrated and tested special competence in that area of law.

There are more than 70,000 attorneys licensed to practice in Texas, but only a small percentage, less than 10%, are Board Certified in a specialized field.

Board Certified lawyers earn the right to publicly represent themselves as a specialist in a select area of the law. In fact, they are the only attorneys allowed by the State Bar of Texas to do so. This designation sets them apart as being an attorney with the highest, public commitment to excellence in their area of law.

The process is voluntary and can only take place after an attorney has been in practice for five years, with a minimum of three years experience in the specialty area. The attorney must also pass a complex written test to demonstrate special understanding and command of the specialty area.

Moreover, Board Certification is not a one-time event. It requires an ongoing involvement in the specialty area which is periodically substantiated with references from peers in that field. It also requires annual professional refreshment through TBLS approved, continuing legal education course work to stay abreast of current trends in law.

The National Board of Trial Advocacy Division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification was the first American Bar Association accredited attorney board certifying agency in the world. Founded in 1977, NBTA offers board certification for Trial Lawyers, Criminal Lawyers, and Family Lawyers. To qualify for one of these certifications lawyers must have extensive experience in their specialty and meet rigorous objective quality standards.

The American Board of Trial Advocates is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. First and foremost, ABOTA works to uphold the jury system by educating the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury. Membership to ABOTA is by invitation only and restricted to those attorneys who are recognized by their peers as the best in their field.