Why Board Certification
What is Certification?
The law is a dynamic and complex area that has grown so large and complex that attorneys can no longer be everything to all people. How does the public determine who is the best lawyer for him or her? Enter the idea of legal certification.
A Certified Legal Specialist designation is a way for an attorney, who has demonstrated proficiency in their specialty area, to assist a person with finding an attorney whose qualifications match their legal needs.
In Minnesota, the MSBA offers specialization certification in the following areas:
- Civil Trial Law
- Criminal Trial Law
- Real Property
- Employment
There is also a National Board of Legal Certification offering specialization certification in the following areas:
- Civil Trial Law
- Criminal Trial Law
- Family Trial Law
- Social Security Disability Law
- Truck Accident Law
- Civil Practice
The medical profession has long recognized the value of independent screening and credentialing to allow doctors to claim a specialization. This helps the public have confidence in the physicians treating them and gives them faith they are well and truly qualified.
Likewise, while the legal profession has been slower to embrace the concept of certification and specialization, a certified designation insures that the lawyer has passed rigorous review and testing to be able to claim the use of the certification designation.