What Does Board Certified Mean When Selecting An Attorney?
You’re flipping through the phone book, or see a commercial on TV or maybe you were even directed to a website that shows a law firm touting how they are board certified and you should call right away. But you’re scratching your head wondering what “board certified” really means, and is that important when selecting an attorney.
You think your injuries might justify a lawsuit, but you’ve been told that going to trial can take time and a fast settlement might be a better option. Well, let me share with you why that might not be the best recourse.
Not every attorney is board certified nor is it required. So why is it important? Does selecting a board certified attorney produce a better outcome? Let me answer those questions by sharing with you the process to become “board certified” and maybe that will shed some light on why it’s important.
Being “board certified” means that the lawyer has met the rigorous certifications requirements in the area of the law he or she has selected for certification. That designation sets them apart from other lawyers and shows their commitment to excellence in meeting the certification requirements. Let me use the example of two different surgeons…a general surgeon and a heart surgeon. The general surgeon is kind of a jack of all trades and knows how to perform most surgeries, but is not as highly trained at heart surgery as the heart surgeon.
The more training involved, the more highly skilled they become. Board certification is not a onetime event. It’s a continuing process that requires displaying ongoing active experiences in the area of focus, and not just skills that are substantiated by tests and verified by peers in the area of the lawyer’s concentration.
Hi, I’m David Holub, an Indiana personal injury attorney, and I’ve been Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Advocate since 1996. My goal is to provide efficient and effective client centered representation. It’s that focus I take with me into every case, trial or mediation. I strive to always provide top quality legal representation, uncompromising pursuit of our client’s legal interests and being accessible and attentive to our clients during times of personal challenge.
If you caught the part where I mention “trial” that’s exactly what being Board Certified as a trial advocate means – that the lawyer has court time. They have been instrumental in the trial process and have knowledge about lawsuits and what it takes to be successful in the courtroom. Some lawyers have never experienced filing a lawsuit for a client, let alone taking a case to trial. They prefer to settle or just don’t have the financial resources for a long drawn out trial.
If you or someone you know was injured or died due to the negligence of another and you are trying to determine which attorney is right for you…here are a few questions to ask.
- Are you Board Certified?
- Which governing board is your certification through?
- How long have you Board Certified?
- Do you have any reservations about going to trial?
Yes, ask questions. Not all lawyers are Board Certified and choosing the wrong lawyer could affect the outcome of your case. If your injury happened in the State of Indiana and you are curious as to whether it could have merit as a case, please call my office at (219)736-9700.