Board Certified-Personal Injury Trial Law

Bernard R. Suchocki

 

A Board Certified attorney is an attorney who has demonstrated special competence in a particular field and whose competence has been certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization was created by the Supreme Court of Texas, and the Board members are appointed by the President of the State Bar of Texas.  The Board, in turn, administers the program through which an attorney may demonstrate special competence in a particular area of  law practice.

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Q.  How many attorneys are currently Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law?

A.  Approximately 1,742 Texas attorneys are now Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law.[1]

Q.  How does the consumer know whether an attorney is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law?

A.  Board Certified attorneys are entitled to indicate certification on business cards and letterhead by using the expression, "Board Certified-Personal Injury Trial Law-Texas Board of Legal Specialization."  They may 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."

 

[1]State Board of Texas Department of Research and Analysis, Statistical Profile of the State Bar of Texas Membership 2001-2002(May 2002). Id .[About 2.5% of the total bar membership as of May 2002]
 Q.  How long does an attorney remain certified in Personal Injury Trial Law?

A.  Certification is for a period of 5 years. To remain certified after that time, every 5  years the attorney must apply for recertification and meet the requirements for continued experience, peer review and continuing  legal education.

Q.  What are the general requirements for Board Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law?

A. All Personal Injury Trial Law Board Certified attorneys must have:

  • Been licensed to practice for at least 5 years;
  • Practiced Personal Injury Trial Law for at least 3 years;
  • Devoted a minimum of 25% of their law practice to personal injury trial law;
  • Handled a wide variety of personal injury trial law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement;
  • Attended personal injury trial law continuing legal education seminars regularly to keep their legal training up to date;
  • Been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges;
  • Passed a day-long written examination.
 Q. What special requirements must a lawyer who is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law meet?

A. A lawyer who is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law must have handled jury trials in cases involving vehicle accidents, worker's compensation, premises liability, products liability, statutory tort claims, maritime accidents, social security claims or claims involving mental anguish  damages not necessarily accompanied by a physical injury.  The lawyer must also have extensive knowledge of the law of evidence, procedure, and other substantive law in the trial of civil cases.