Top 10 Associate Attorney Certifications

Certifications demonstrate a commitment to the legal industry and provide tangible evidence of professional development. By obtaining certifications, an associate attorney is able to differentiate themselves from their peers and showcase a level of knowledge that can be beneficial in the job market. Certifications also give employers assurance that the associate attorney is knowledgeable in a particular area of law, making them more attractive as potential hires. Additionally, certifications may open up opportunities for career advancement or provide access to certain networks and resources that would otherwise not be available.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Associate Attorneys and explains how they can contribute to an associate attorney's career, providing insight into the value of certifications in terms of professional development and job prospects.

What are Associate Attorney Certifications?

Associate attorney certification is a program that enables recent law school graduates to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in their chosen field of practice. This certification is designed to help new lawyers gain recognition and credibility in the legal profession. The certification process typically involves passing an exam, completing continuing legal education courses, and gaining experience in the field. By obtaining associate attorney certification, aspiring lawyers can show potential employers that they are knowledgeable and competent in their chosen area of practice. This can help them stand out from other job applicants and give them an edge when seeking employment opportunities. Additionally, associate attorney certification can provide lawyers with an opportunity to network with other professionals in their field and increase their chances of finding meaningful work.

Pro Tip: When seeking associate attorney certification, make sure to research the requirements for that particular state or jurisdiction. Certification requirements can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another, so it is important to understand what is required and how to go about obtaining the necessary documentation.

Related: What does an Associate Attorney do?

Top 10 Associate Attorney Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Associate Attorneys today.

1. Certified Civil Trial Attorney

A Certified Civil Trial Attorney is a lawyer who has been recognized by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as having achieved a high level of expertise in civil trial law. The certification process requires lawyers to demonstrate significant involvement in civil trial practice over a period of at least five years. In addition, they must have tried at least twenty cases to verdict or judgment and have completed at least forty hours of continuing legal education related to trial practice during the three-year period preceding application for certification.

The process for becoming a Certified Civil Trial Attorney takes approximately six months from the time an application is submitted to the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The first step is to submit an application along with supporting documents, such as proof of trial experience and continuing legal education credits, to the Supreme Court. Once the application is approved, candidates must pass an examination administered by the Board on Attorney Certification. After passing this exam, attorneys are eligible for certification and can use the title “Certified Civil Trial Attorney” when advertising their services.

The cost of becoming a Certified Civil Trial Attorney varies depending on the number of CLE credits required and other fees associated with filing an application. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1,000 for all necessary fees associated with obtaining certification.

2. Certified Criminal Law Specialist

A Certified Criminal Law Specialist (CCLS) is a designation given to attorneys who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and experience in the field of criminal law. This certification is granted by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, which is an organization that evaluates and certifies lawyers in different areas of practice. To become certified, an attorney must pass a comprehensive written examination and demonstrate substantial involvement in the practice of criminal law for at least five years. The attorney must also complete 60 hours of continuing legal education courses related to criminal law within the past three years.

The process for becoming a CCLS typically takes about six months from start to finish. Attorneys must first submit an application to the National Board of Trial Advocacy and pay a fee, which varies depending on their state but generally ranges from $500-$1,000. After submitting their application, they will be required to take an online course on criminal law topics such as constitutional rights, evidence, sentencing guidelines, etc., followed by an open book exam. Once they pass this exam, they will be eligible to take the CCLS exam, which is administered twice per year at various locations throughout the United States.

The cost for taking the CCLS exam varies depending on where it is taken but generally ranges from $500-$1,000. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the online course and preparing for the exam such as books or other materials needed for study purposes.

3. Certified Family Law Specialist

A Certified Family Law Specialist is a lawyer who has specialized in the practice of family law. This certification is granted by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and requires that an attorney demonstrate a high level of experience, education, knowledge, and skill in family law.

To become certified as a Family Law Specialist, an attorney must have been practicing law for at least five years and must have completed 45 hours of continuing legal education in family law within the past three years. The attorney must also pass a rigorous written examination covering all aspects of family law.

In order to obtain certification, attorneys must apply to the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization and submit their application along with supporting documentation such as proof of experience, education, and completion of the continuing legal education courses. The application fee is $750 plus additional fees for any additional applications submitted.

Once an attorney has obtained certification as a Family Law Specialist, they are required to complete 25 hours of continuing legal education every three years in order to maintain their certification status.

4. Certified Appellate Specialist

A Certified Appellate Specialist is a lawyer who has demonstrated a high level of proficiency and experience in the practice of appellate law. This certification is granted by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC), which is an independent organization that sets standards for legal specialties.

To become certified, an attorney must meet certain requirements, including having practiced appellate law for at least five years and having handled a minimum number of appeals in state or federal court. The attorney must also pass a written exam administered by the NBLSC and demonstrate knowledge of appellate procedure, substantive law, and legal writing.

The process typically takes several months to complete, depending on how quickly the applicant can fulfill all the requirements. The cost to apply for certification varies depending on the state in which you are applying, but it generally ranges from $500-$1,000.

5. Certified Immigration Lawyer

Certified Immigration Lawyer is a professional who has been certified by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) to practice immigration law. This certification is granted after an extensive application process and requires that the lawyer have a minimum of three years of experience in immigration law, pass a written exam, and demonstrate a high level of knowledge and skill in the field.

The process of becoming certified can take up to two years or more depending on how quickly the applicant completes all requirements. To become certified, applicants must first complete an application with AILA and submit it along with supporting documents such as proof of education, experience, bar membership, and references. Applicants must then pass a written exam administered by AILA before being considered for certification.

The cost for becoming certified varies depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD. This covers the cost of submitting the application to AILA, taking the exam, and any other associated fees.

Once certified, lawyers are able to provide legal advice and representation in matters related to immigration law including visas, green cards, citizenship applications and more. Certified Immigration Lawyers must also adhere to ethical standards set forth by AILA in order to maintain their certification status.

6. Certified Bankruptcy Attorney

Certified Bankruptcy Attorney is a designation given to attorneys who have completed specialized training in bankruptcy law and have passed a comprehensive exam. The certification is granted by the American Board of Certification (ABC), which is an independent, non-profit organization.

To become certified, an attorney must first meet certain educational requirements, such as having graduated from an accredited law school and having at least five years of experience practicing bankruptcy law. Additionally, the attorney must pass the ABC's written examination on bankruptcy law.

The process of becoming certified typically takes several months to complete. After meeting the educational requirements, the attorney must submit an application to ABC and pay a fee for the exam. Once approved, the applicant will be sent a study guide and information about how to prepare for the exam. The exam itself consists of multiple choice questions and can take up to four hours to complete.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on where you live and other factors, but it generally ranges from $500-$1,000. This includes both the application fee and any associated costs with taking the exam (such as travel expenses).

7. Certified Estate Planning Attorney

Certified Estate Planning Attorney is a professional designation that recognizes attorneys who have achieved a high level of expertise in estate planning. This certification is awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC) after an attorney has met certain educational, experience, and ethical requirements.

To become certified as an estate planning attorney, an attorney must first meet the NAEPC's educational requirements. The attorney must have completed at least 30 hours of continuing legal education courses specifically related to estate planning within the last three years. The courses must be approved by the NAEPC or sponsored by a state bar association or other organization accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

The attorney must also have at least five years of experience in estate planning practice. This experience must include advising clients on matters such as wills, trusts, tax law, probate law, asset protection strategies, and other related topics.

In addition to meeting these educational and experience requirements, the attorney must also pass a comprehensive written exam administered by the NAEPC. The exam covers topics such as federal tax laws, trust law, probate law, retirement plans and investments, insurance products for estate planning purposes, and more.

The process of becoming certified as an estate planning attorney typically takes between six months to one year to complete. It involves completing all of the necessary coursework and passing the written exam administered by the NAEPC.

The cost for becoming certified as an estate planning attorney varies depending on where you live and which courses you take to satisfy the educational requirements. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $1,500-$5,000 or more to become certified as an estate planning attorney.

8. Certified Labor and Employment Lawyer

A Certified Labor and Employment Lawyer is an attorney who has met the rigorous standards set by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC) for legal expertise in labor and employment law. To become certified, a lawyer must have at least five years of experience practicing labor and employment law, demonstrate substantial involvement in the field, pass a written examination, and be favorably evaluated by peers and judges.

The certification process typically takes about six months to complete. To begin, an applicant must submit an application to the NBLSC that includes information about their legal experience, education, publications, speaking engagements, pro bono activities, awards, and other relevant information. The NBLSC then reviews the application to determine if the applicant meets its criteria for certification. If approved, the applicant will then take a two-day written exam covering topics such as labor law statutes and regulations; collective bargaining agreements; wrongful termination claims; discrimination laws; wage-and-hour laws; immigration laws; employee benefits plans; workers’ compensation laws; occupational safety laws; family medical leave laws; union organizing campaigns; arbitration procedures; and other related areas of law.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on factors such as geographic location and type of practice. Generally speaking, however, it can range from $2,000-$5,000 or more. This includes fees for the application process ($500-$1,000), exam registration ($200-$400), study materials ($500-$1,000), travel expenses (if applicable), and other miscellaneous costs associated with preparing for the exam.

9. Certified Intellectual Property Attorney

A Certified Intellectual Property Attorney (CIPA) is a lawyer who has received specialized training in the area of intellectual property law. This includes areas such as copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. CIPAs have expertise in the legal aspects of protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights.

It typically takes between two to four years to become a Certified Intellectual Property Attorney. To become certified, an attorney must pass a written examination administered by the National Board of Certification for Attorneys in Intellectual Property Law (NBCAIPL). The exam covers topics such as patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright protection, trade secret law, and licensing agreements.

In order to be eligible to take the exam, applicants must meet certain requirements. These include being admitted to practice law in at least one state or territory of the United States; having at least three years of experience practicing intellectual property law; and completing at least 24 hours of continuing legal education courses related to intellectual property law within the past three years.

The cost for taking the exam is $1,200 for members of NBCAIPL and $1,500 for non-members. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with preparing for and taking the exam such as course materials or travel expenses.

10. Certified Business Litigation Attorney

Certified Business Litigation Attorney is a professional designation granted to attorneys who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in the field of business litigation. This certification is administered by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC) and requires that applicants meet certain criteria, including passing a written examination, having at least five years of experience in business litigation, and providing evidence of their legal accomplishments.

To become certified as a Certified Business Litigation Attorney, an applicant must first submit an application to the NBLSC. The application includes information about the applicant's education, work experience, and other qualifications related to business litigation. Once the application is approved, the applicant must then take and pass a written examination. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as contracts, torts, corporate law, securities law, intellectual property law, antitrust law, labor law, environmental law, international trade law, and other relevant areas.

The exam typically takes two days to complete and costs approximately $1,500. After passing the exam and meeting all other requirements for certification (including paying an additional fee), applicants are awarded their Certified Business Litigation Attorney designation.

Certified Business Litigation Attorneys are highly sought after by businesses due to their expertise in this specialized area of practice. They are often called upon to represent companies in court proceedings or provide advice on complex legal matters related to business litigation.

Do You Really Need a Associate Attorney Certificate?

Whether or not you need an associate attorney certificate depends on your goals and the state in which you plan to practice law. An associate attorney certificate is required by some states in order to practice law as a lawyer. The requirements for obtaining an associate attorney certificate vary from state to state, but typically involve completing a certain amount of legal training and passing a bar exam.

If your goal is to become an attorney, then obtaining an associate attorney certificate could be beneficial. Depending on the state in which you practice law, having an associate attorney certificate may give you more credibility with potential clients and employers. It also may provide opportunities for advancement within the field of law that might otherwise be unavailable to those without certification.

On the other hand, if your goal is to work in a related field such as legal research or paralegal work, then obtaining an associate attorney certificate may not be necessary. Many states do not require certification for these types of positions, so it may not be worth investing the time and money into acquiring one if it’s not necessary for the job you are seeking. Additionally, many employers value experience over education when it comes to hiring decisions in these fields, so having relevant experience can often be more beneficial than having certification.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an associate attorney certificate depends largely on your individual goals and situation. If becoming a lawyer is something that interests you and is attainable in your state, then obtaining certification could certainly be beneficial for furthering your career prospects. However, if becoming a lawyer isn’t part of your plans or isn’t feasible in your area then it may not make sense to pursue certification at this time.

Related: Associate Attorney Resume Examples

FAQs About Associate Attorney Certifications

1. What is an Associate Attorney Certification?

Answer: An Associate Attorney Certification is a professional certification program that provides attorneys with the knowledge and skills they need to practice law in a particular area of expertise. It is typically offered by accredited law schools or organizations, such as the American Bar Association.

2. How do I become certified as an Associate Attorney?

Answer: To become certified as an Associate Attorney, you must complete a prescribed course of study, pass an exam and demonstrate proficiency in the areas covered by the certification program. You may also need to have relevant work experience or participate in continuing education courses in order to maintain your certification.

3. How long does an Associate Attorney Certification last?

Answer: The length of time that your certification lasts depends on the organization or school offering it; however, most certifications are valid for three years from the date of issue.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as an Associate Attorney?

Answer: Yes, depending on the organization or school offering the certification, you may be required to have a certain amount of legal experience and/or education before you can apply for the certification program. Additionally, you may be asked to provide references and/or letters of recommendation from employers or other legal professionals who can attest to your qualifications and abilities.

5. Is there a fee associated with obtaining an Associate Attorney Certification?

Answer: Yes, most organizations or schools that offer these types of certifications charge a fee to cover administrative costs associated with processing applications and providing materials for the exam.