Florida Bar Board Certification

What does Florida Bar Board Certification mean?

Under Florida Bar rules, attorneys who are Board Certified in a specific field are allowed to identify themselves as Specialist or Experts in that specific field of law. Board Certified Florida Bar members are the only attorneys in Florida who can identify themselves to the public as Board Certified, Specialist or Experts. By giving an attorney the recognition of Board Certification, the Florida Bar recognizes an attorney’s special knowledge, skills and proficiency in a specific area of law. The certification shows the attorney demonstrates professionalism and ethics in law practice. Since 1982, The Florida Supreme Court established board certification as a way for consumers to identify specialist in various areas of law. Board certified lawyers are legal experts dedicated to professional excellence.

Only 378 lawyers in Florida are Board Certified in Criminal Trial law.

Board Certification is the highest level of evaluation given by The Florida Bar for competency and experience. Criminal Trial Law is one of 24 areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida. Of all the 75,000 lawyers who are members of the Florida Bar members, only 378 of Florida lawyers are Board Certified in Criminal Trial law. Ken Swartz is one of those Florida lawyers who have earned the distinction of Board Certification.

What must a Florida Bar lawyer do to achieve Board Certification in the field of Criminal Trial?

A lawyer who is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar and who meets the standards prescribed by the state’s Supreme Court may become board certified in the one or more of the 24 certification fields. To become board certified as a criminal trial lawyer, the following must be accomplished:

• Practice law a minimum of five years with a substantial involvement in the field of criminal trial law;
• Try at least 25 criminal cases including at least 20 jury trials to verdict.;
• A passing grade on the written examination demonstrating knowledge, skills, and proficiency in the field of criminal trial law;
• Pass a peer review assessment of competence in the specialty field as well as character, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law; and
• Complete at least 45 hours of approved continuing legal education requirements in the area of criminal law.

Ken Swartz is a Board Certified Criminal trial lawyer.

Making a selection for a lawyer can be a difficult and often intimidating experience. The stress and pressures of a crisis which demands having a lawyer on your side can make the selection even more difficult. Many people rely on the recommendation of family and friends and that may be the best method of selection for some. But a person, who demands that his or her attorney have the skill, experience, and proficiency to be called an expert, will settled for nothing less than Florida Bar board certifications. When you face a criminal charge or investigation that could forever change your life, shouldn’t you have a Board Certified attorney in your corner? Ken Swartz has been recognized by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer since 1997. If you need the services of a Board Certified lawyer, we are here to help.

“Attorneys who earn Florida Bar board certification have demonstrated their expertise and commitment to excellence in the practice of law.”

– Jesse Diner, Immediate Past President, Florida Bar