Why Choose a Certified Attorney?

Why choose a Certified Attorney?

Certification: “A voluntary process instituted by a nongovernmental organization by which individuals are recognized for [specific], sometimes advanced, knowledge and skills.”

– National Organization for Competency Assurance, Washington, D.C.

You expect certification from your doctor – expect it from your lawyer too.
Board Certification means that the certified attorney has met rigorous, objective standards and has demonstrated knowledge in bankruptcy and/or creditors’ rights law. Hiring an attorney with expertise in any specialized field of law can be a bewildering experience. As a client, you want to make sure your counsel is experienced in the particular field. Unfortunately, prospective clients usually have little objective criteria on which to rely.

The American Board of Certification’s (ABC) programs are designed to identify and recognize those attorneys in consumer or business bankruptcy who have met or exceeded rigorous certification standards relating to experience, continuing legal education, integrity, and peer review; in addition to demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the law in their specialty area.

The goal of ABC is to provide meaningful information to those seeking legal services to enable them to make informed decisions in selecting experienced counsel.

To become certified as a bankruptcy specialist by ABC, an applicant must successfully complete a comprehensive day-long written examination covering (1) general bankruptcy/creditors’ rights law (2) legal ethics, and (3) substantive questions in the specialty area. In addition, each applicant must show significant experience in legal matters and a substantial dedication of their practice to such matters, as well as providing professional references and participating in at least 60 hours of continuing legal education over a three-year period.

Additional information can be found at www.abcworld.org