Top 10 Litigation Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for a litigation specialist because they demonstrate an individual's knowledge, expertise and commitment to the profession. A certification in litigation can provide an edge in the job market by showing employers that the individual has a comprehensive understanding of the legal process and is able to effectively handle various types of cases. Certifications also serve as proof of competency and can open up new opportunities for career advancement. Additionally, certifications may be required in order to practice in certain states or jurisdictions. Finally, certifications can help individuals stay up-to-date on industry trends, best practices and technologies related to litigation.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain the benefits of some of the top certifications for Litigation Specialists, and how they can contribute to a successful career in the field.

What are Litigation Specialist Certifications?

Litigation specialist certification is a type of professional certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in the area of litigation. It is designed to provide recognition for experienced professionals who have a high level of knowledge and experience in the legal field. The certification also serves to validate the skills and qualifications of those already working in the industry, as well as providing a way for new professionals to demonstrate their qualifications.

Having litigation specialist certification can help individuals stand out from other job applicants who may not have this specific training or experience. The certification can also be used as proof of a person’s expertise when making presentations or writing articles on legal topics. Additionally, it can be beneficial in court proceedings, where having an expert witness with litigation specialist certification can be beneficial to either side of the case. Finally, having this specialized knowledge can help individuals more effectively advise clients on legal matters related to litigation.

Pro Tip: When considering litigation specialist certification, research the certifying organization to ensure it is reputable and has a track record of providing quality education and training. Additionally, look for certifications that have been approved by the American Bar Association or other legal organizations.

Related: What does a Litigation Specialist do?

Top 10 Litigation Specialist Certifications

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

1. Certified Litigation Management Professional (CLMP)

Certified Litigation Management Professional (CLMP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of those who manage litigation matters in the legal industry. The CLMP program is administered by the Association of Certified Litigation Managers (ACLM), an organization dedicated to providing education and resources to those involved in litigation management.

The CLMP certification requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of experience in litigation management, completion of a comprehensive exam, and successful completion of continuing education requirements. The exam consists of three parts: general litigation management, case management, and dispute resolution.

The cost for the CLMP certification is $795 for non-members and $595 for members. This fee includes all materials needed to study for the exam as well as access to online practice exams. The exam itself must be taken at an approved testing center and can take up to four hours to complete.

Once certified, CLMPs must maintain their certification by completing 15 hours of continuing education every three years. This ensures that they remain up-to-date on best practices in the field of litigation management.

2. Certified Legal Manager (CLM)

Certified Legal Manager (CLM) is a professional certification offered by the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). The CLM designation is designed to recognize legal professionals who demonstrate expertise in management and leadership skills within the legal industry.

It typically takes between one and two years to complete the requirements for the CLM designation. To become certified, applicants must have at least five years of experience in a legal management role, have completed at least 60 hours of continuing education related to legal management topics, and pass an exam.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether or not you are an ALA member. For members, the cost is $250 for the application fee and $500 for the exam fee. Non-members pay $500 for the application fee and $750 for the exam fee.

3. Certified Litigation Support Professional (CLSP)

Certified Litigation Support Professional (CLSP) is a professional certification program offered by the Association of Certified eDiscovery Specialists (ACEDS). The CLSP certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in litigation support.

The CLSP certification requires applicants to complete an online course and pass an exam. The online course consists of 10 modules covering topics such as the legal process, document management, electronic discovery, and trial preparation. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours.

It typically takes about two months to complete the course and pass the exam. However, some people may take longer depending on their individual learning style and how much time they are able to dedicate to studying for the exam.

The cost for the CLSP certification is $1,495 USD. This includes access to all 10 modules of the online course as well as one attempt at the exam. If you need additional attempts at the exam, there is an additional fee of $250 per attempt.

4. Certified Paralegal Specialist (CPS)

A Certified Paralegal Specialist (CPS) is a professional certification for paralegals. It is the highest level of certification available to paralegals, and it is granted by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

To become a CPS, an individual must have at least two years of experience working as a paralegal in the United States, or have completed an approved paralegal program from an accredited institution. The applicant must then pass NALA’s comprehensive Certified Paralegal Examination. This exam consists of four sections: legal research and writing; civil litigation; contracts and business organizations; and ethics and professional responsibility.

The cost to take the exam varies based on where you live, but typically ranges from $225 to $350. The exam can be taken at any Prometric Testing Center across the United States. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your CPS designation within 8-10 weeks.

The cost to maintain your CPS designation is $50 per year. This includes access to continuing education courses offered by NALA, as well as discounts on other products and services related to being a paralegal specialist.

5. Certified Trial Lawyer (CTL)

A Certified Trial Lawyer (CTL) is a designation given to lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge, experience, and skill in the area of trial practice. To become a CTL, an attorney must meet certain qualifications and pass an examination administered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA).

In order to qualify for the CTL designation, an attorney must have at least five years of active trial practice experience and must demonstrate substantial involvement in jury trials. The attorney must also complete at least 40 hours of continuing legal education courses related to trial practice within the last three years prior to applying for certification.

The application process for becoming a CTL includes submitting an application form, providing references from other attorneys or judges who can attest to the applicant's trial experience and expertise, and passing a written exam that tests the applicant's knowledge of trial practice. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as discovery, evidence, civil procedure, criminal law, ethics, and professional responsibility.

The cost for taking the CTL exam varies depending on the state in which you are taking it. Generally speaking, it will cost between $500-$1000 to take the exam. Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements for certification, you will be awarded your CTL designation.

Overall, becoming a Certified Trial Lawyer is an excellent way for experienced attorneys to demonstrate their expertise in trial practice and gain recognition from their peers. It is also a great way for attorneys to stay up-to-date on current trends in trial practice and further develop their skills as litigators.

6. American Board of Trial Advocates Certification (ABOTA)

The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) is a national organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. ABOTA is comprised of attorneys from both plaintiff and defense backgrounds who have achieved significant experience in jury trials, as well as judges who are committed to protecting this fundamental constitutional right.

In order to become an ABOTA member, an attorney must demonstrate a commitment to preserving the civil jury system through continuing legal education, ethical conduct, civility and professionalism. To qualify for membership, an attorney must have tried at least ten civil jury trials to conclusion or have served as first chair in five civil jury trials. The applicant must also be recommended by two current ABOTA members in good standing and approved by their local chapter's board of directors.

It typically takes six months or more for an attorney’s application to be processed and approved by ABOTA’s National Board of Directors. Once accepted into the organization, attorneys must pay annual dues which vary depending on their state chapter. In addition, members are expected to attend continuing legal education events hosted by their local chapters throughout the year in order to maintain their certification status with ABOTA.

The cost for becoming a member of ABOTA varies depending on the state chapter but typically ranges from $250-$500 annually for dues plus any additional fees associated with attending continuing legal education events or other activities sponsored by the organization.

7. Advanced Mediation and Negotiation Certificate

The Advanced Mediation and Negotiation Certificate is a professional certification program designed to help professionals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively mediate disputes, negotiate agreements, and facilitate effective communication. The program consists of eight courses covering topics such as negotiation theory and practice, dispute resolution, mediation process and techniques, conflict management, communication strategies, ethical considerations in mediation and negotiation, power dynamics in negotiations, and dispute resolution systems.

The program can be completed in one year or less depending on the student’s schedule. To get the certificate students must complete all eight courses with a passing grade of 80% or higher. Each course is offered online or in-person at select locations.

The cost for the Advanced Mediation and Negotiation Certificate varies depending on whether you’re taking the courses online or in-person. Online courses typically cost between $500-$1000 per course while in-person classes may range from $1,000-$2,000 per course.

8. National Institute for Trial Advocacy Certificate

The National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) Certificate is a professional certificate program designed to provide attorneys with the skills necessary to effectively represent clients in trial. The program consists of four levels of certification, each of which requires a minimum number of hours of instruction and successful completion of an examination.

Level 1: This level is designed for attorneys who are new to trial practice and need basic training in trial advocacy. It requires 40 hours of instruction and successful completion of an examination.

Level 2: This level is designed for attorneys who have some experience in trial practice but need additional instruction in the fundamentals. It requires 80 hours of instruction and successful completion of an examination.

Level 3: This level is designed for experienced trial practitioners who want to refine their skills and gain greater mastery over the art of trial advocacy. It requires 160 hours of instruction and successful completion of an examination.

Level 4: This level is designed for experienced trial practitioners who want to become experts in the field. It requires 240 hours of instruction and successful completion of an examination.

The NITA Certificate can be obtained by attending one or more NITA-approved courses offered at various locations throughout the United States, including online programs. The cost varies depending on the course chosen, but typically ranges from $2,000-$4,000 per course.

9. International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy

The International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy (IADC) is a professional development program designed to provide attorneys with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful trial lawyers. The program consists of a five-day intensive course that covers all aspects of trial practice, from pre-trial preparation to post-trial motions. The IADC Trial Academy is held annually in various locations throughout the United States, and participants must be members of the IADC in order to attend.

The IADC Trial Academy takes place over five days and includes lectures, interactive workshops, demonstrations, and mock trials. Participants learn practical trial advocacy skills such as opening statements, direct and cross examination techniques, closing arguments, jury selection strategies, evidentiary issues, and courtroom decorum. They also receive instruction on topics such as ethics, motion practice, settlement negotiations, expert witnesses, alternative dispute resolution methods, civil procedure rules and more.

To get accepted into the IADC Trial Academy you must be an active member of the IADC. Once accepted into the program you will need to pay a registration fee which varies depending on your membership status (active or associate). The cost for active members is $2195 while associate members pay $2495.

Once accepted into the program you will have access to online materials prior to attending the academy so that you can prepare for the course ahead of time. You will also receive a certificate upon completion of the academy indicating that you have successfully completed all required coursework and are now qualified as an IADC Trial Advocate.

10. National Institute for Advanced Litigation Strategies Certification

The National Institute for Advanced Litigation Strategies (NIALS) is a certification program that provides attorneys with the skills and knowledge to effectively represent clients in complex litigation. The program focuses on developing strategic and tactical approaches to trial practice, including pre-trial motion practice, discovery, deposition preparation and strategy, witness examination, jury selection, opening statements, closing arguments, and post-trial motions.

It takes approximately six months to complete the NIALS certification program. To get certified, attorneys must first take an online assessment to determine their eligibility for the program. Once they have passed the assessment they must complete a series of courses designed to teach them the necessary skills and strategies for successful litigation. After completing all of the courses they must pass a final exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the NIALS certification program varies depending on the number of courses taken and other factors such as location. Generally speaking, it can range from $2,000-$4,000 USD.

Do You Really Need a Litigation Specialist Certificate?

Whether or not you need a litigation specialist certificate will depend on the specific job you are seeking. If the job requires specialized knowledge of litigation law, then it is likely that having a certification will be beneficial. It can demonstrate to employers that you have the necessary skills and qualifications to handle complex legal matters.

Having a certification can also give you an edge over other applicants in the hiring process. It may give employers assurance that your knowledge of litigation is up-to-date and that you are familiar with current laws and regulations. This can be especially important when dealing with clients or cases with complicated or sensitive issues.

On the other hand, if you do not plan to work in a specific area of litigation law, then obtaining a certification may not be necessary. In some cases, having general legal experience may suffice. It is important to consider your career goals and research what qualifications are required for the positions you are interested in before deciding whether or not to pursue a certification.

Related: Litigation Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Litigation Specialist Certifications

Q1. What is a Litigation Specialist Certification?

A1. A Litigation Specialist Certification is an advanced credential that demonstrates expertise in the field of litigation. It is designed for legal professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience working with civil and criminal court cases, including pretrial motions, discovery, trial preparation, and post-trial appeals.

Q2. What are the requirements for obtaining a Litigation Specialist Certification?

A2. The requirements vary depending on the program chosen but typically include at least five years of experience in litigation practice, passing an exam, and completing continuing education courses related to litigation topics. In some programs, applicants may also be required to submit letters of recommendation from other attorneys or judges.

Q3. How long does it take to complete a Litigation Specialist Certification?

A3. The amount of time required to complete a Litigation Specialist Certification varies depending on the program chosen; however, most can be completed within one year if all requirements are met in a timely manner.

Q4. Is there an age limit for obtaining a Litigation Specialist Certification?

A4. Generally speaking, no – there is no age limit for obtaining a Litigation Specialist Certification as long as the applicant meets all other eligibility requirements such as having at least five years of experience in litigation practice and passing an exam related to litigation topics.

Q5. Will I need to pass any additional exams after obtaining my certification?

A5. Yes – many programs require applicants to periodically take continuing education courses related to their area of specialization in order to maintain their certification status over time