Board Certification
Board Certified Specialist Attorneys
Board certification is the legal profession's highest mark of specialization — earned through exams, peer review, and substantial experience in a defined practice area.
Most lawyers can claim a focus. Board-certified specialists have had that focus formally tested and verified.
Board certification programs are run by state bars (notably Texas, Florida, and California) and by ABA-accredited national bodies such as the National Board of Trial Advocacy. To qualify, attorneys typically need years of substantial experience in the specialty, peer recommendations, and a passing score on a rigorous written exam.
Fewer than 5% of U.S. lawyers hold board certification. The credential is most common in trial advocacy, family law, criminal law, estate planning, immigration, and personal injury — areas where deep specialization measurably improves outcomes.
When the stakes warrant a specialist — complex litigation, intricate estate planning, contested family matters — board certification is a strong signal of substance behind the marketing.
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Legal Specialties
Immigration Law
Visas, green cards, citizenship, deportation defense.
Green Card Law
Family-based, employment-based, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, adjustment of status.
Citizenship & Naturalization
Naturalization, N-400, citizenship exams, dual citizenship, derivative citizenship.
Visa Law
H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2, TN, student visas, work visas, investor visas.
Asylum Law
Affirmative asylum, defensive asylum, withholding of removal, CAT protection.
Deportation Defense
Removal defense, cancellation of removal, bonds, appeals, ICE detention.
Personal Injury
Car accidents, slip and fall, medical malpractice, wrongful death.
Family Law
Divorce, custody, support, adoption, mediation.
Divorce Law
Contested divorce, uncontested divorce, property division, mediation, collaborative divorce.
Child Custody
Legal custody, physical custody, parenting plans, modifications, enforcement.
Family Law
Divorce, custody, support, adoption, prenups, mediation, restraining orders.
Spousal Support
Alimony, temporary support, permanent support, modifications, enforcement.
Adoption Law
Private adoption, stepparent adoption, agency adoption, ICPC, consent, termination of parental rights.
Criminal Defense
DUI, felony, misdemeanor, federal defense, expungement.
DUI Defense
DUI, DWI, OWI, license suspension, ignition interlock, field sobriety challenges.
Drug Crime Defense
Possession, trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, prescription fraud, diversion.
Federal Criminal Defense
FBI, DEA, IRS, DOJ prosecutions, grand jury, sentencing guidelines, appeals.
White Collar Defense
Fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, money laundering, bribery, compliance.
Corporate Law
Formation, contracts, M&A, governance, venture financing.
Startup Law
Formation, SAFEs, cap tables, venture deals, founder agreements.
Contract Law
Drafting, review, negotiation, breach disputes, enforceability.
Business Formation
LLC, corporation, partnership, S-corp, registered agent, operating agreements.
LLC Law
Operating agreements, member disputes, LLC conversions, asset protection, tax elections.
Trademark Law
Trademark registration, USPTO prosecution, infringement, branding, domain disputes.
Copyright Law
Copyright registration, licensing, infringement, DMCA, creative works, software.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Buy-side, sell-side, due diligence, deal structuring, closing.
Corporate Governance
Board duties, shareholder agreements, compliance, SEC filings.
Securities Law
Reg D, Reg A, IPOs, 10b-5, broker-dealer compliance, private placements.
Real Estate Law
Closings, title, zoning, landlord-tenant, commercial leases.
Estate Planning
Wills, trusts, probate, elder law, tax planning.
Estate Planning
Wills, trusts, probate, elder law, tax planning.
Probate Law
Estate administration, will contests, creditor claims, executor duties, intestacy.
Trust Law
Revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, trust administration.
Elder Law
Medicaid planning, long-term care, guardianship, elder abuse, age discrimination, estate planning.
Living Trusts
Revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, trust funding, probate avoidance, incapacity planning.
Bankruptcy Law
Chapter 7, 13, 11 reorganization, debt negotiation.
Employment Law
Discrimination, harassment, wage claims, severance, non-competes.
Intellectual Property
Patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing.
Tax Law
IRS disputes, audits, planning, international, estate tax.
Civil Litigation
Contract disputes, class actions, appeals, commercial litigation.
Civil Rights
Police misconduct, discrimination, free speech, voting rights.
Car Accident
Auto collisions, insurance claims, hit-and-run, uninsured motorist.
Truck Accident
Commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, FMCSA violations, multi-defendant claims.
Motorcycle Accident
Bike crashes, rider injury claims, helmet defense, lane-splitting disputes.
Slip and Fall
Premises liability, store injuries, ice and snow, dangerous conditions.
Wrongful Death
Fatal accidents, medical negligence, survival actions, family recovery.
Medical Malpractice
Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, birth injuries, hospital negligence.
Frequently Asked
What Clients Ask
What does board certified mean for a lawyer?
It means the attorney has been formally recognized as a specialist in a defined practice area through experience, peer review, and a written examination administered by an accredited certifying body.
How is board certification different from a regular license?
Every practicing lawyer must be licensed. Board certification is an additional, optional credential that recognizes substantial expertise in one practice area.
Are board certified lawyers more expensive?
Often, modestly so — but the credential typically reflects deeper specialization, which can produce faster, better results in complex matters and offset the rate difference.