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Florida Bar President Hank Coxe has appointed members to two new committees that will oversee the inaugural board certification processes for State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice and Intellectual Property Law. Each nine-member certification committee will review credentials for the first class of applicants, develop policy to implement standards approved by the Florida Supreme Court and draft and administer the first examination.
Lawyers who are members in good standing of The Florida Bar and who meet the standards prescribed by the Supreme Court may become board certified in one or more of 22 fields. While each area of certification may contain higher or additional standards, minimum requirements are:
• A minimum of five years in law practice;
• A satisfactory showing of substantial involvement in the field of law for which certification is sought;
• A passing grade on the examination required of all applicants;
• Satisfactory peer review assessment of competence in the specialty field as well as character, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law; and
• Satisfaction of the certification area’s continuing legal educationrequirements.
While all lawyers are allowed to advertise, only board-certified attorneys are allowed to identify themselves as “Florida Bar Board Certified,” “specialists” or “experts.” Certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the areas of law approved for certification by the Florida Supreme Court. Attorneys who become board certified also are evaluated as to their character, ethics and professionalism.
Board certification is valid for five years. To be recertified, lawyers must meet requirements similar to those for initial certification. Not all qualified lawyers are certified, but those who are board certified have taken extra steps to have their competence and experience recognized. For more information, visit www.floridabar.org/certification or contact The Florida Bar’s Legal Specialization & Education Department at 850/561-5842.
Florida Bar members appointed to the Intellectual Property Law Certification Committee: James, A. Gale, Chair, Miami; Ava K. Doppelt, Vice Chair, Orlando; Michael Bruce Chesal, Miami; George Donovan Conwell Jr., Tampa; Robert C. Kain Jr., Fort Lauderdale; Jeff Lloyd, Gainesville; Stephen E. Nagin, Miami; Mark Evan Stein, Coral Gables; and Stefan Vaughn Stein, Tampa.
Florida Bar members appointed to the State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice Certification Committee: William Eldred Williams, Chair, Tallahassee; Mary F. Smallwood, Vice Chair, Tallahassee; Foster Scott Boyd, Tallahassee; Allen Richard Grossman, Tallahassee; Eleanor Mitchell Hunter, Tallahassee; Keith William Rizzardi, Washington, D.C.; Cathy Miller Sellers, Tallahassee; Charles Aristides Stampelos, Tallahassee; and George Lee Waas, Tallahassee.