WHAT IS A BOARD CERTIFIED ATTORNEY?
Attorneys become Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Austin, Texas, which was created by, and operates under, the authority of the Supreme Court of Texas. The Board's Members are appointed by the President of the State Bar of Texas. The Board administers the program by which a lawyer may earn a certificate of special competence in a particular field of law.
WHAT IS A PERSONAL INJURY TRIAL LAW BOARD CERTIFIED ATTORNEY?
An attorney who is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law must have handled jury trials dealing with matters such as vehicle accidents, workers' compensation, premises liability, products liability, statutory tort claims, maritime accidents, or social security claims which involve a physical or mental injury to a person. The lawyer must also have extensive knowledge of the law of evidence, procedure, and other substantive law involved in the trial of Personal Injury Trial Law. An attorney must have:
- Been licensed to practice law for at least five years
- Devoted a required percentage of practice to personal injury trial law for at least three years
- Handled a wide variety of personal injury trial law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement
- Attended personal injury trial law continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date
- Been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges
- Passed a day-long written examination
WHAT IS A CONSUMER AND COMMERCIAL LAW BOARD CERTIFIED ATTORNEY?
A lawyer who is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Consumer and Commercial Law must be experienced in the practice of law dealing with consumer and commercial transactions, including transactions of individual and business consumers and commercial transactions between businesses and other businesses or individuals. It includes, by way of example but not limitation, matters involving the Texas Deceptive Trade Practice - Consumer Protection Act, Subchapter 21B of the Texas Insurance Code; relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code; the Texas Credit Code; the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act; the Texas Motor Vehicle Commission Code, including the Texas Lemon Law; laws dealing with landlord tenant relationship; the Federal and Texas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; the Federal Truth in Lending Act; and other federal and state laws dealing with sales, leases, insurance, credit, and collection activities involving consumers. The practice of consumer and commercial law includes the prosecution and defense of claims as well as business compliance. To become Board Certified in Consumer and Commercial Law, an attorney must have:
- Been licensed to practice law for at least five years
- Devoted a required percentage of practice to consumer and commercial law for at least three years
- Handled a wide variety of consumer and commercial law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement
- Attended consumer and commercial law continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date
- Been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges
- Passed a day-long written examination
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY A BOARD CERTIFIED ATTORNEY?
A Board Certified Attorney is entitled to indicate certification on business cards and letterhead by stating "Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization." The Attorney may also display the certificate of Special Competence awarded by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and list the certification in legal directories and telephone listings under "Attorneys - Board Certified."
HOW DOES A LAWYER REMAIN BOARD CERTIFIED?
Initial Certification is valid for a period of five years. To remain certified, an attorney must apply for re-certification every five years and meet practice, peer review and continuing legal education requirements for the specialty field.