Why It’s So Important to Work With a Board Certified Attorney

Here at MattLaw, we understand that a serious personal injury can put a tremendous amount of stress on you and your family. We also know that choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your case. The decision of which lawyer you hire may be one of the most important decisions you ever make.  You should know that one of the most important distinctions a lawyer can have is being board certified. When you work with a board certified attorney, you have someone on your side with specialized knowledge, a commitment to excellence, and proven experience in their particular field.

This is why Matt Powell has gone the extra mile to achieve his Civil Trial Lawyer Board Certification with the Florida Bar since 2007.

What is board certification?

To demonstrate their proficiency, commitment, and experience with a specific area of law, lawyers can voluntarily undergo board certification. The Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization and Education provides oversight to the board certification program and offers certification in 27 different legal specialties. If an attorney wishes to achieve board certification, they must meet a variety of strict standards, including the following:

• Five years minimum practicing law.
• “Substantial involvement in the field of law for which certification is sought.”
• Evaluations from peers noting the lawyer’s competence, ethics, and professionalism.
• Completing advanced education courses in the attorney’s specialty area.
• Passing a comprehensive exam that tests knowledge and skill in the specialty area.

Further, once certified, attorneys must seek recertification every five years, which helps make sure they stay current in their field and continue to meet high standards.

Notes BLSE Chair Cynthia Johnson-Stacks, “Lawyers strive for excellence in every endeavor. Board certification is the natural progression of this innate desire. This highest of achievements not only benefits the individual lawyer, but by encouraging lawyers to hone their skills and practice with professionalism, the certification program is a great service to The Florida Bar and the public.”

What is the National Board of Trial Advocacy?

The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) is the only national organization accredited by the American Bar Association to provide board certification for attorneys. The NBTA was established in 1977 and aims to improve the quality of trial advocacy and help clients select experienced legal representation. Attorneys certified by the NBTA have demonstrated substantial trial experience, passed stringent examinations, and received positive peer reviews. This certification is a testament to an attorney’s dedication to excellence in trial advocacy.

Matt Powell went the extra mile of a second board certification with the National Board of Trial Advocacy being certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer in 2010.

Why is board certification so important?

Specialization matters in the field of law. Board certification assures you that your attorney has been professionally evaluated and tested for experience in a specific area of law. Think of it as the same reason patients prefer board certified doctors for specialized medical care.

The process of obtaining – and maintaining – board certification encourages continuous learning and professional growth. Attorneys engage in ongoing education and stay updated on developments in their specialty, which helps make sure they can continue providing the best possible representation to their clients.

What’s in it for you? Hiring a board certified attorney can give you the confidence that your legal matter is in capable hands. If you know your lawyer has undergone rigorous testing and has significant experience in their relevant area of law, you can have peace of mind during a challenging time in your life.

It’s also important to know that less than 2% of lawyers nationwide are board certified. This highlights the distinction associated with the certification and the dedication required to achieve it. In Florida, with over 90,000 eligible lawyers, only about 5,000 have attained board certification. This means that only one in 20 Florida Bar members can call themselves “board certified,” making it an important accomplishment that can set an attorney apart in a crowded legal field.

Work with a board certified attorney at MattLaw

At MattLaw, we are proud to have a board certified attorney on our team, Matt Powell. Matt is triple board certified, which means he is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar, and he is both Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Board Certified in Civil Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This certification reflects his unwavering commitment to providing exceptional legal representation to his clients.

When you choose a board certified attorney, you’re selecting a lawyer who has been evaluated for professionalism and experience. This achievement offers assurance of an attorney’s competence, ethics, and dedication to their field. At MattLaw, we understand that board certification isn’t just a title but a commitment to excellence that benefits both our clients and the legal community as a whole.

If you’re facing legal challenges, you deserve representation that meets the highest standards – representation you can find with a board certified attorney. To schedule a consultation with a board certified lawyer, simply call our offices or fill out our contact form.