Legal Definitions - board of legal specialization

A Board of Legal Specialization is an official body, typically operating under the authority of a state's bar association, that is responsible for formally recognizing lawyers who have demonstrated advanced expertise and experience in a particular area of law.

Think of it like a professional certification beyond a basic license. While all lawyers must pass a bar exam to practice law, a Board of Legal Specialization establishes additional, rigorous criteria for attorneys who wish to be identified as specialists in fields such as family law, criminal law, or estate planning. To earn this distinction, a lawyer usually needs to:

• Possess a significant amount of practical experience in the specific legal field.
• Pass a comprehensive examination focused solely on that specialty area.
• Receive favorable evaluations and recommendations from other lawyers and judges who are familiar with their work.

This certification helps both the public identify highly qualified attorneys for specific legal needs and provides a benchmark for professional excellence within the legal community.

Examples:

• Finding a Specialist for a Complex Case: Imagine a small business owner, Maria, needs to navigate complex environmental regulations for a new factory. She searches for an attorney certified by her state's Board of Legal Specialization in Environmental Law. Maria trusts that an attorney with this certification has not only passed the general bar exam but has also proven deep knowledge and extensive experience specifically in environmental legal matters, giving her confidence in their ability to handle her intricate case.

  Explanation: This illustrates how the board's certification helps the public identify lawyers with proven, advanced expertise in a niche area, assuring clients like Maria that they are hiring a true specialist.

• An Attorney Pursuing Advanced Recognition: David, an attorney who has dedicated his career to representing clients in personal injury lawsuits, decides he wants to be recognized as a certified specialist in Civil Trial Law. He applies to his state's Board of Legal Specialization. To achieve this, he must document a specific number of trials he has handled, pass an intensive exam on trial procedures and evidence, and submit references from opposing counsel and judges who can attest to his trial skills and ethics. Upon successful completion, he can proudly market himself as a certified specialist.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the rigorous process a lawyer undergoes to meet the board's criteria (experience, examination, peer review) to earn formal recognition as an expert in a specific legal field.

• Maintaining High Standards in Specialized Fields: The Board of Legal Specialization in a particular state regularly reviews the requirements for its various specialty areas, such as Workers' Compensation Law. They might update the curriculum for the certification exam to reflect recent changes in state statutes or increase the minimum number of years of practice required for a lawyer to apply. This ensures that the standards for specialization remain current, challenging, and reflective of the highest level of proficiency in that field.

  Explanation: This highlights the board's ongoing role in setting, maintaining, and evolving the benchmarks for legal specialization, ensuring that certified attorneys continue to meet rigorous, up-to-date standards of expertise.