Florida Bars Board Certification Part 2
How does the Board Certification of a lawyer help the client?
As mentioned in part one of the blog Florida’s Bar Board Certification, in l982, a voluntary program to help the public select lawyers distinguished in their special area of law was organized to be officiated by the Florida Supreme Court and administered by the Florida Bar. The certification has become the gold standard for lawyers. It gives prospective clients the assurance a board-certified lawyer has gained expertise in their chosen area of law and a high-performance rating in ethical practice and professionalism. All this sounds impressive, but how does board certification truly help a client once the lawyer is working on their case?
As in most business transactions, it is vital to be able to trust the person or persons you are doing business with. Unfortunately, in general, lawyers have been given a rather shady reputation over the years, which, though sometimes true, is not usually the case. When a lawyer has been board-certified, a client will know that the lawyer’s work can be trusted to be ethical. There will be no hiding of money received or extending a case to increase the final bill. If a client needs to put their funds into an escrow account, the lawyer can be trusted to do so properly. Information given to a client will be truthful and in the client’s best interest.
Before applying for board certification, a lawyer must have been actively practicing in their chosen field for at least five years. While not being able to use the term “expertise” when referring to their legal knowledge, the lawyer will be gaining important know-how and hands-on experience with clients and the court. Once the rigorous testing and examination of the lawyer working toward board certification are complete, and board certification has been awarded, the lawyer will be allowed to use the term “expertise” when referring to their knowledge and abilities in their chosen field. Having a lawyer with expert knowledge working on your case is impressive and comforting.
As with most things in life, time brings change. Laws and guidelines for legal procedures and outcomes are also part of the ever-changing dynamic of life. Board-certified lawyers are required to attend courses that satisfy continuing legal education requirements in their area of expertise. The Florida Bar also requires certain additional courses. Board certification is good for five years and must be renewed with a similar procedure to the initial application. Knowing that one’s lawyer has up-to-date knowledge regarding laws and guidelines is important for a client’s best interests.
Finding a board-certified lawyer can be done by checking their online website. If he or she is board-certified, the letters BSC standing for Board-Certified Specialist will be behind their name. If you are looking for a board-certified lawyer in the field of Florida marital and family law and live in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, or Orange County Florida, New York or Washington DC Attorney Grant Gisondo is a board-certified lawyer in marital and family law. He has been successfully practicing family law for over ten years. You can view his website at https://gisondolaw.com. For more information, Attorney Gisondo offers a free, initial, in-office consultation. His office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and, for new clients, on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Please call (561) 530-4568 to make an appointment.