WHAT IS A BOARD CERTIFIED CIVIL TRIAL LAWYER?

An attorney who is Board Certified by the TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION in Civil Trial Law must be experienced in handling civil trial practice in Texas courts or must have served a substantial amount of time as a judge of a civil trial court. The attorney must have shown that in the three years immediately preceding application he has devoted a minimum of 35% of his time practicing civil trial law in Texas. The attorney must have tried during his practice a minimum of 20 contested civil cases in controversy in excess of $25,000, or applicant must have devoted a minimum of 100 separate days to the trial of contested civil cases in a court of record in Texas involving a sum of actual damages in controversy in excess of $25,000.

To become Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, an attorney must have:

• Been licensed to practice law for at least five years;
• Devoted a required percentage of practice to civil trial law for at least three years;
• Handled a wide variety of civil trial law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement;
• Attended civil trial law continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date;
• Been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges;
• Passed a day long written examination.

Initial certification is valid for a period of five years. To remain certified, an attorney must apply for recertification every five years and meet practice, peer review and continuing legal education requirements for the speciality field.