When you consider the potentially life-changing impact of a family law matter such as a divorce or award of child custody, the advantage of highly-qualified legal assistance possible becomes crystal clear. What’s less than clear to the average person, however, is how to determine the extent of any given attorney’s ability, experience, and depth of knowledge in the specific field required. That’s why the legal profession has established certain identifiable benchmarks that set a few practitioners above the rest. One of those benchmarks is certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization – and when you work with me, you’re working with an attorney who holds that certification.
Board certification isn’t something you can take as a given when shopping for a Texas family law attorney. Only 7,000 of the 70,000 attorneys currently practicing in the state are certified in a legal specialization. In fact, certification is a prerequisite for even representing oneself as a legal specialist to the public, whether that specialization is family law (as in my case), bankruptcy law, criminal law, estate planning and probate law, or any other of the specializations awarded by the Board.
I attained my Board certification in December 2010, and I can assure you that it isn’t an easy task. Some of the minimal requirements include:
• Significant demonstrated family law competency/experience
• Experience in collaborative practice of law, appeals, and other areas
• A large number of temporary orders, hearings, and mediations
• Positive feedback from judges and peers
When you select a Board certified family law attorney, you know you’re sitting across the table from someone who represents a high level of knowledge and experience in cases just like yours. With that concern put to rest, we can focus on your particular circumstances and a goals, creating a strategy that best meets your family’s needs.