Top 10 Attorney Certifications

Certifications are an important way for attorneys to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in a specific area of law. They can help an attorney stand out from the competition in the job market by showing potential employers that they have taken the time to become certified in a certain field of law. Certifications also give attorneys more credibility in court, as it provides evidence that they have a comprehensive understanding of the relevant legal topics. This can be especially beneficial for attorneys who are looking to specialize in a particular area or practice, as certifications provide them with an extra level of assurance that they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to handle cases effectively.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the best certifications available for Attorneys and discuss how they can help advance an attorney's career.

What are Attorney Certifications?

Attorney Certification is a process in which an attorney verifies that a certain document or legal matter meets certain requirements. This process helps to ensure that documents are properly filed and all necessary steps are taken to meet the legal requirements. Attorney Certification can help to protect individuals and businesses from costly mistakes, as it allows them to have a third-party professional review their documents before filing them with the court. In addition, having an attorney certify legal matters gives parties involved added assurance that the matter is being handled correctly and has been properly reviewed. Furthermore, some courts require certification by an attorney for certain documents, making Attorney Certification even more important for those who wish to ensure their documents meet all legal requirements.

Pro Tip: When researching attorney certification, make sure to research the certifying organization and its qualifications. Look for organizations accredited by the American Bar Association or state bar associations that have specific criteria in place to ensure certification standards are met. Additionally, always check with your local bar association to confirm that an attorney has been certified.

Related: What does an Attorney do?

Top 10 Attorney Certifications

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

1. Certified Trial Lawyer

Certified Trial Lawyer is a designation for lawyers who have demonstrated expertise in the area of trial practice. To become certified, an attorney must demonstrate significant experience and knowledge in the area of trial practice. This includes courtroom experience, preparation of cases, and understanding of the law.

The process to become a Certified Trial Lawyer takes approximately two years. First, applicants must submit an application with supporting documents that demonstrate their experience and knowledge in the field. Once accepted into the program, applicants must complete a series of courses and pass an examination that tests their knowledge. Upon successful completion of the program, applicants are awarded certification as a Certified Trial Lawyer.

The cost to become a Certified Trial Lawyer varies depending on the state where certification is sought. Generally speaking, it costs several hundred dollars to apply for certification as well as additional fees for course material and testing fees.

In order to maintain certification status, attorneys must keep up with continuing education requirements and adhere to ethical standards set by their respective states' bar associations.

2. Certified Appellate Lawyer

Certified Appellate Lawyer is a designation given by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC) to attorneys who have demonstrated significant experience and expertise in appellate law. This certification is a voluntary program that allows lawyers to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in appellate practice.

In order to become certified, an attorney must meet certain requirements, including having at least five years of experience as an appellate lawyer, completing at least 30 hours of continuing education courses related to appellate law, and passing a written examination. The written examination consists of questions on legal issues related to civil and criminal appeals.

It typically takes about six months for an attorney to complete the certification process. In order to begin the process, an attorney must submit an application and fee to the NBLSC. After submitting the application, the attorney will be required to complete a background check and provide proof of their experience as an appellate lawyer. Once these steps are completed, the attorney will be able to take the written exam.

The cost for becoming certified varies depending on the state in which you are applying. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,500-$2,000 for attorneys in most states. The cost includes application fees, background check fees, and examination fees.

3. Certified Criminal Law Specialist

A Certified Criminal Law Specialist is a lawyer who has been certified by the State Bar of California as having demonstrated special competence in the practice of criminal law. This certification is granted to attorneys who have successfully completed a rigorous examination and have met the criteria established by the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.

To become a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, an attorney must have practiced criminal law for at least five years, have taken at least 45 hours of continuing legal education in criminal law during the three years prior to taking the exam, and demonstrate substantial involvement in criminal law practice. The exam itself consists of two parts: one written portion and one oral portion.

The cost to take the exam varies depending on whether or not you are a member of the State Bar. For non-members, it costs $1,500; for members, it costs $750. Additionally, there is an annual fee to maintain certification that ranges from $150 - $250 per year depending on your membership status.

In total, it can take up to 8 months to become a Certified Criminal Law Specialist once you have applied and paid all applicable fees.

4. Certified Family Law Specialist

Certified Family Law Specialists are attorneys who have demonstrated a high level of expertise and experience in the practice of family law. The certification is granted by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization (BLS) after an attorney has met specific criteria and passed a rigorous examination.

It typically takes three to five years for an attorney to become certified as a Family Law Specialist. To be eligible for certification, an attorney must:

• Have been actively engaged in the practice of family law for at least five years;
• Have completed 45 hours of approved continuing education in family law within the past three years;
• Pass a written examination administered by BLS; and
• Receive favorable peer review evaluations from other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.

The cost to become certified as a Family Law Specialist varies depending on the jurisdiction, but it typically ranges from $500-$1,000. This fee covers the cost of taking the exam, submitting an application, and undergoing peer review evaluations.

5. Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate

Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate (BCCTA) is a professional certification program for attorneys who specialize in civil trial law. The certification is granted by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), an independent organization that evaluates lawyers’ experience, skills, and knowledge in civil trial law.

The certification process requires applicants to meet certain criteria and pass an examination. To be eligible for the BCCTA certification, applicants must have been practicing law for at least five years, have tried at least 20 cases to verdict or judgment, and demonstrate substantial involvement in civil trial practice. Applicants must also complete 30 hours of continuing legal education courses related to civil trial practice within the past three years.

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria, applicants must pass a two-day written examination that covers topics such as discovery, evidence, jury instructions, opening statements and closing arguments. The exam is administered twice a year at various locations throughout the United States.

The cost of the BCCTA certification application fee is $1,250 plus a $50 administrative fee. The exam fee is an additional $750 plus a $50 administrative fee. Once certified, attorneys must renew their certification every five years by completing 45 hours of continuing legal education credits related to civil trial practice and paying a renewal fee of $500 plus a $50 administrative fee.

6. Board Certified Intellectual Property Attorney

Board Certified Intellectual Property Attorney is a designation given to attorneys who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in the field of intellectual property law. This certification is granted by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is considered one of the most prestigious recognitions an attorney can receive.

To become Board Certified in Intellectual Property Law, an attorney must first meet certain eligibility requirements, including having at least five years of experience practicing intellectual property law and passing a rigorous exam administered by the ABA. The exam covers topics such as patent law, copyright law, trademark law, trade secrets, unfair competition, and international intellectual property rights. After passing the examination, an attorney must also complete an application process which includes providing references from peers and clients in order to demonstrate their competence in this area of practice.

The process typically takes around six months to complete and costs approximately $2,000 for application fees and exam fees. Attorneys who are successful in obtaining board certification will receive a certificate from the ABA recognizing their achievement. Additionally, they will be listed on the ABA’s website as Board Certified Intellectual Property Attorneys.

Being board certified provides attorneys with a competitive edge when it comes to finding employment or clients because it demonstrates that they have achieved a higher level of expertise than other attorneys who are not board certified. It also allows them to provide more specialized services for their clients since they have been tested on specific areas of intellectual property law.

7. Board Certified Tax Attorney

A Board Certified Tax Attorney is a lawyer who has specialized in the field of taxation and has completed extensive testing to demonstrate their expertise. In order to become Board Certified, a tax attorney must have at least five years of experience practicing tax law, pass an examination administered by the American Bar Association (ABA) or National Association of Legal Specialists (NALS), and be approved by the state in which they practice.

It typically takes two to three years to complete the process of becoming board certified. During that time, applicants must complete a minimum of 60 hours of continuing legal education courses related to taxation and pass both written and oral examinations.

In order to get Board Certified, applicants must first meet all requirements set forth by their respective state bar association. After meeting these requirements, applicants can then apply for Board Certification through either the ABA or NALS. The application process includes providing personal information such as educational background, work history, and references. Applicants will also need to submit copies of their resume and any relevant documents demonstrating their knowledge of taxation law.

The cost for becoming board certified varies from state to state but generally ranges from $500-$2,000 depending on the organization administering the certification exam. Additionally, applicants may incur additional costs for continuing legal education courses required for certification.

8. Board Certified Immigration Attorney

Board Certified Immigration Attorney is a designation given to attorneys who have demonstrated expertise in the field of immigration law. This certification is granted by the American Board of Certification (ABC). To become board certified, an attorney must pass a rigorous exam and demonstrate a high level of knowledge and experience in immigration law.

It typically takes one to two years to become board certified. To qualify, an attorney must have at least five years of experience practicing immigration law and must have completed at least 40 hours of continuing legal education in the area of immigration law within the past three years. The attorney also needs to submit letters from other attorneys or judges attesting to their expertise in the field.

To get board certified, an attorney must first apply for eligibility with ABC and then take the exam. After passing the exam, they will receive their certification from ABC.

The cost to become board certified varies depending on the state where you are applying. Generally, it can range from $1,000-$2,500 for all fees associated with becoming board certified including application fees and exam fees.

9. Board Certified Elder Law Attorney

A Board Certified Elder Law Attorney is a lawyer who has specialized knowledge and experience in the legal issues that affect elderly individuals. This includes topics such as estate planning, Medicaid, Social Security, guardianship, long-term care planning, and more. To become Board Certified in Elder Law, an attorney must have at least five years of practice experience and pass a rigorous exam administered by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF). The exam covers all aspects of elder law including public benefits, health care decision-making, estate planning, financial management and taxation.

It typically takes an attorney between two to three years to complete the process of becoming Board Certified in Elder Law. During this time period, the attorney must complete continuing education courses related to elder law topics and demonstrate their expertise through peer review. Additionally, they must also submit a portfolio of their work for review by NELF.

To get started on the path to becoming Board Certified in Elder Law, an attorney should contact NELF to learn more about the requirements and application process. The cost of applying for board certification varies depending on the state but generally ranges from $500-$1,000.

10. Board Certified Real Estate Attorney

A Board Certified Real Estate Attorney is an attorney who has been certified by the Florida Bar as having expertise in real estate law. To become board certified, an attorney must have practiced real estate law for at least five years, passed a written examination on real estate law and procedure, and demonstrated substantial involvement in the practice of real estate law.

It typically takes at least two to three years to become board certified. During this time, attorneys must complete at least 45 hours of continuing legal education courses related to real estate law and pass a comprehensive exam that covers all aspects of real estate law. After passing the exam, attorneys must also submit references from other lawyers or judges who can attest to their expertise in the field.

To get board certification, you should contact the Florida Bar and inquire about the process for becoming board certified. The Florida Bar will provide you with information about the requirements for certification, including any applicable fees or costs associated with the process.

The cost of becoming board certified depends on several factors such as the number of continuing legal education courses taken and any additional fees associated with taking the exam or submitting references. Generally speaking, it typically costs between $1,000 and $2,500 to become board certified in real estate law in Florida.

Do You Really Need a Attorney Certificate?

The short answer is yes. An attorney certificate, also known as a “certificate of good standing,” is an official document issued by the state bar association in which you practice law that verifies your status as an active and qualified attorney. This document is often required when submitting applications for professional licensure or certification, when renewing existing licenses or certifications, and when filing court documents or other legal papers.

An attorney certificate serves as proof that you are in good standing in your state bar association and that all requirements for maintaining your license to practice law have been met. It is important to remember that not all states require an attorney certificate; however, if your state does require one, it will likely include information such as your name and address, the date of admission to the bar association, any disciplinary actions taken against you (if applicable), and any special qualifications you may have earned such as a specialized certification or degree.

In addition to being a requirement for certain professional purposes, an attorney certificate can also serve as evidence of your credibility and responsibility in the legal profession. By obtaining one from your state bar association, you demonstrate to potential employers, clients, and other members of the legal community that you are knowledgeable about the law and committed to upholding high ethical standards.

In conclusion, an attorney certificate is a valuable document that confirms both your qualifications and ethical behavior as an attorney. If required by your state bar association or necessary for professional licensing purposes, it is essential that you obtain one in order to ensure continued success in the legal field.

Related: Attorney Resume Examples

FAQs About Attorney Certifications

1. What is an attorney certification?

Answer: An attorney certification is a voluntary program that allows attorneys to demonstrate their expertise in a specific area of law. Attorneys who complete a certification program have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field, often through courses or examinations.

2. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Answer: Becoming certified can help attorneys demonstrate their competency in a certain area of law, differentiate themselves from other lawyers, and attract new clients. It also helps them stay up-to-date on changes in the law and gain access to valuable resources and networks.

3. Is there an exam required for certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifications require attorneys to pass an examination that tests their knowledge and experience with the particular area of law they are seeking certification in.

4. How do I become certified?

Answer: To become certified, you must meet the requirements set by your state bar association or specialty organization, which may include completing continuing education courses, submitting proof of practice in the field, and passing an exam.

5. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified varies depending on the specific requirements for each certification program; however, it typically takes several months to complete all steps necessary for certification.