The Benefits of Hiring a Board Certified Lawyer

The Benefits of Hiring a Board Certified Lawyer

When you need legal help, hiring a lawyer is often the best option. But not all lawyers are created equal – board certified lawyers have extra qualifications that set them apart. This article will explain what board certification is, why it matters, and the key benefits of hiring a board certified attorney.

What is Board Certification for Lawyers?

Board certification is essentially an extra credential that lawyers can earn to demonstrate their expertise in a particular area of law. According to the American Bar Association (ABA), board certified lawyers have taken and passed a written exam in their specialty area, demonstrated substantial involvement in the specialty area for at least 5 years, fulfilled ongoing education requirements, and been evaluated by their peers[1]. The certification process is overseen by official certifying bodies, such as state bar associations or boards commissioned by the ABA. These organizations set the standards lawyers must meet in order to be board certified
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So in short–board certified lawyers have gone above and beyond regular licensing requirements to prove their knowledge and experience in a specific legal field. This could be anything from family law, to immigration, to personal injury, and more.

Why Board Certification Matters

You might be wondering why board certification even matters–after all, don’t all lawyers have to be licensed?

While it’s true that licensing ensures basic competency and ethical standards, board certification indicates a higher level of expertise[3]. The extra qualifications and peer evaluation involved in board certification provides assurance that certified lawyers are true specialists in their field.

According to the ABA, studies have shown that board certified lawyers have higher client satisfaction rates and are rated more highly by judges and peers[4]. Certification also reduces the risk of attorney misconduct.

So in an industry where not all professionals are equal, board certification can give clients confidence that they are getting a true expert.

Benefits of Hiring a Board Certified Lawyer

Wondering if it’s worth seeking out a board certified attorney versus a “regular” licensed lawyer? Here are some of the top benefits:

1. Expertise and Experience

The #1 benefit of hiring a board certified lawyer is the expertise and experience they bring. As discussed above, certification verifies an attorney’s specialized skills and extensive background in a particular legal practice area[5]. This means they will have deep understanding of the nuances and complexities of your case type. An expert lawyer will know the ins and outs of the relevant laws, latest case precedents, and best legal strategies. They will also have familiarity with the judges, systems, and processes specific to that field.

Consider this – if you needed brain surgery, you would go to a specialized neurosurgeon, not a general practitioner. Similarly, you want an attorney who immerses themselves in your specific legal niche, not one who dabbles in a dozen different areas. Board certification provides a marker of this focused expertise.

2. Higher Likelihood of Positive Case Outcomes

It makes sense that a more knowledgeable, experienced lawyer will have greater success in handling your case. According to the ABA, research shows board certified attorneys get better case results for clients[6].

For instance, one study found that clients represented by board certified lawyers were over 300% more likely to prevail in employment disputes. Certified lawyers also achieved significantly higher monetary awards.

Hiring a specialist better positions you for the best possible outcome – whether that’s a favorable settlement, getting charges dismissed, winning at trial, or other goals.

3. Better Equipped to Avoid Common Pitfalls

Given their extensive background in a legal area, board certified lawyers will be better equipped to avoid potential missteps or risks that a less experienced attorney may make. With their breadth of knowledge and familiarity with judges and processes, certified specialists will be able to foresee and sidestep pitfalls in a case that a non-specialist may miss. This may translate to faster resolution of your case with fewer complications.

4. Access to Comprehensive Resources

Board certified attorneys often have access to more comprehensive resources and knowledge bases than general practitioners. Through their ongoing specialty education and connections, they stay on top of things like:

• The latest case law precedents and trends in their focus area
• Changes to relevant statutes, codes, and regulations
• New specialty-specific legal strategies and processes
• Cutting-edge legal technologies and research tools

This allows them to build the strongest case possible using the most up-to-date information available.

5. Better Equipped for Complex Cases

Are you dealing with an especially complex legal issue with a lot of moving pieces? Board certified lawyers are better equipped to handle complicated cases efficiently and effectively.

Their laser-focused experience in a niche area of law allows them to quickly understand multifaceted issues. They can then develop and execute the optimal legal strategy. A general practitioner may not fully grasp the nuances or best approach.

6. Greater Focus and Specialization

Unlike general practice attorneys who handle a wide variety of cases, board certified specialists spend their entire careers immersed in one legal field. This allows them to gain an incredibly deep knowledge of the intricate details of an area of law–down to niche statutes, judges’ tendencies, and more. They also develop tailored processes and best practices specific to a case type.

This greater focus and specialization means they will be uniquely equipped to handle your case compared to a lawyer without specialty experience.

7. Higher Likelihood of Settlement

Data indicates that board certified lawyers are able to achieve pre-trial settlements for clients at a higher rate than non-certified attorneys.

There are a few reasons for this. First, their expertise and experience give them greater negotiating skills and leverage. Second, specialists have established reputations with opposing counsel, which facilitates deals. Third, judges tend to respect and value input from certified lawyers, further motivating settlements.

If avoiding drawn-out litigation is one of your goals, a board certified attorney can help make that happen.

8. Better Equipped for Trial

While settlements are ideal for many clients, some cases do end up going to trial. Board certified lawyers’ niche expertise and comprehensive trial experience makes them better equipped to represent clients in trial scenarios.

According to the ABA, certification indicates mastery of the rules of evidence and litigation techniques specific to a specialty. Certified lawyers will know how to present the strongest case and arguments before judges or juries. They’ll be able to avoid common litigation missteps that could sink the case.

9. Up-to-Date Specialty Education

To maintain board certification, lawyers must complete a minimum number of continuing legal education (CLE) hours in their specialty each year. This education keeps them on top of the latest laws, regulations, skills, and legal strategies.

Choosing a board certified lawyer means you get an attorney who makes constant learning and improvement a priority. Their knowledge will never grow stale.

10. Rigorous Vetting and Evaluations

Not just any lawyer can become board certified – they go through rigorous vetting and evaluations by their peers. This provides an extra layer of quality assurance that a lawyer’s expertise is valid and respected by others in the field. Many certification programs also require confidential client reviews. This means other clients have endorsed the lawyer’s capabilities.

The extensive certification process indicates an attorney is truly distinguished among their colleagues as a specialist.

How to Find a Board Certified Lawyer

Hopefully you now understand the significant benefits of working with a board certified attorney for your specific legal needs. But how do you go about finding certified lawyers to choose from?

Here are some tips:

• Check lawyer directories like the ABA’s Board Certified Lawyers database, which allows you to search by specialty area and location.
• Look for certification indications (initials like B.C.S., Board Certified Specialist) on law firm websites and attorney bios.
• Ask state bar associations for certified lawyer referral lists.
• Search award databases that recognize board certified attorneys.
• Ask lawyers directly if they are board certified in your legal issue area.

When researching candidates, don’t stop at whether they are certified–look into their background, experience, case results, and client reviews. But certification can be a useful starting point to narrow down specialists.

The Bottom Line

Here’s the key takeaway: When you need legal representation, working with a board certified lawyer rather than a general practitioner will provide you with greater expertise, increased likelihood of favorable outcomes, access to more resources, and overall confidence in your counsel. While any licensed attorney can take on a case, board certification indicates an elite level of niche experience and peer-reviewed capabilities. Do your research to find the right certified specialist, and you’ll have a trusted expert on your side.

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https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/
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https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/
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https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/
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https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/
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https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/
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https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization/