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When looking for the right attorney to handle your accident case, you will notice that only a few attorneys advertise that they are board certified in personal injury trial law. But what does that really mean?
In Texas, board certification means that an attorney has demonstrated, and tested, specialized competence in that area of law, along with substantial, relevant experience in a chosen area of law. Only 10% of the 70,000 attorneys in Texas have earned the right to call themselves experts in their field by obtaining board certification.
To become board certified in personal injury trial law, an attorney must:
1) devote at least 25% of your practice to personal injury trial law for the three years prior to your application;
2) Fight at least ten jury trials, of which five must be personal injury cases. The lawyer must spend twenty days at trial of which at least ten days are personal injury trials.
3) Present at least five references (including at least one Texas judge) who have knowledge of the individual’s trial abilities, and’
4) Take and pass a comprehensive day-long Board Certification exam.
In order to be recertified (which must be done every five years), the attorney must devote at least 25% of his or her practice to personal injury law and must have completed a total of 100 hours of continuing legal education during the past five years. Needed ,
The exam itself and the requirements are promulgated by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Board certification is a way to demonstrate that a particular attorney has taken the time to learn his or her area of law and has gained substantial experience in the field.
In Texas, advertising rules for attorneys prohibit an attorney from representing himself as an expert in a particular matter. The only exception to this is that an attorney who is board certified in a particular area of practice may state so in his advertisements. It is against the rules of ethics for a lawyer who is not board certified, to claim that he is.
Consumers can locate a board certified attorney by visiting the Texas Board of Legal Specialization website. In addition to a collection of other resources on how to evaluate and select your attorney, they maintain a list of all attorneys who are board certified in various areas, including contact information and links to their websites. This is a great place to start your search when you are looking for legal representation.
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