by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
What does it mean to be a board certified lawyer?
Currently, 20 Jacksonville attorneys volunteer their time to assist The Florida Bar in answering that question.
The Florida Supreme Court established the board certification program in 1982 to help consumers identify specialists in various areas of law. Those areas have grown from a few to 24 different practice areas.
Board Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys.
For each area, there is a certification committee that consists of volunteers from The Florida Bar who help steer the certification process. The committees are responsible for qualifying the candidates who apply to take the exam and develop and grade the exam.
“It’s important to let people know that certain lawyers have specialized in an area and they have taken the extra step to certify their knowledge and experience,” said Thomas “Tim” Boyd of Boyd & Sutter, who is the vice chair of the Admiralty and Maritime Certification Committee.
Of the more than 88,000 members of The Florida Bar, only 4,400 are currently board certified.
“I feel strongly that there are many more experienced lawyers who should consider board certification and should be encouraged to apply,” said Fred Tromberg of the Law Offices of Fred Tromberg, who is on the Civil Trial Law Certification Committee.
Minimum requirements for certification include: a minimum of five years in the practice of law; a satisfactory showing of substantial involvement in the field of law for 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 education requirement.
“Certification isn’t just taking a test,” said Tromberg. “It’s also about how you interact with your peers. Are you professional? Do you aspire to the highest ethical standards? These factors contribute to earning board certification.”
Some of the committee members learn as much from the exam as applicants do.
“It’s a wonderful refresher for those of us doing this kind of work (developing the exam), to see the changes and review some of the things I may have forgotten,” said Isabelle Lopez of Lewis, Longman & Walker, who is on the City, County and Local Government Certification Committee. “The profession asks us to step up to the plate for the good of the profession and this is a great way to give back.”
Attorney Michael Shorstein also recognizes the responsibility of lawyers to give back to their community and profession and has volunteered to chair one of the newest board certification areas, Adoption Law.
“It’s the first time I have been involved with The Florida Bar on a statewide level and I have been so impressed with the organization,” said Shorstein of Shorstein & Kelly. “It’s been like a new job. We are hoping it’s going to benefit everyone, the lawyers and the public.”
The committee of 10 will hold its first certification exam in March and the first class will be certified in June.
“Lawyers in Jacksonville have been very active with board certification,” said Jake Schickel of Coker, Schickel, Sorenson & Posgay, who is The Florida Bar Board of Governors liaison to the Workers’ Compensation Certification Committee.
“We are known for professionalism, and board certification signifies the highest standards for the professional and ethical practice of law,” he said.
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