Why Choose a Board Certified Family Law Attorney?

Board Certified Attorney

What is a Family Law Board Certified Attorney?

An attorney who is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law must have prepared for and participated in the contested trial of cases involving matters such as divorce, property division, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity or other matrimonial matters.

To become Board Certified in Family Law, an attorney must have:

• Been licensed to practice law for at least five years
• Devoted a required percentage of practice to family law for at least three years
• Handled a wide variety of family law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement
• Attended family law continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date
• Been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges
• Passed a day-long written examination

Initial certification is valid for a period of five years. To remain certified, an attorney must apply for recertification every five years and meet practice, peer review and continuing legal education requirements for the specialty field.

The consumer can identify a Family Law Board Certified attorney in one of many ways. A Family Law Board Certified attorney is entitled to indicate certification on business cards and letterheads by stating "Board Certified -- Family Law -- Texas Board of Legal Specialization." The attorney may also display the Certification of Special Competence award by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and list the certification in legal directories and telephone listings under "Attorneys -- Board Certified."

Of the thousands of attorneys licensed to practice in Texas,
fewer than 1,000 have fulfilled those arduous requirements
and are board certified in family law.