Why certify?

• Author: Harkness, Jr., John F.
• Position: Florida attorneys

We find the present plan properly harmonizes lawyer advertising, designation and certification...."

With that statement the Florida Supreme Court on January 28, 1982, approved the Bar's certification plan in a two-page per curiam opinion. On July 1, the certification plan went into effect, clearing the way for civil trial and tax lawyers to earn the right to advertise that they are proven specialists in their fields.

Why certification?

Advertising restrictions were being lifted in the early 1980s, and it was becoming increasingly important that the public was able to determine a lawyer's qualifications. With "board certified" in attorneys' advertisements, it was hoped that the public would be able to select effective counsel.

Initially, more than 1,200 applications were mailed to interested civil trial and tax attorneys, the first two approved certification areas. By September 15, less than 100 completed forms had been received at Bar headquarters. Then the deadline of September 30 came and the response was more than double what had been expected.

I remember Peter Zinober, certification board chair, commenting, "It's overwhelming. Clearly the lawyers of Florida perceive board certification as an important credential in their area of practice."

Everyone involved with the program agreed that the hours to review the applications, as well as design, administer, and grade the exams would be worth the work if, after the first Florida lawyers were certified at the June 1983 Bar convention, members of the public could turn to the Yellow Pages and find a certified, competent lawyer to help them with their legal problems.

The Bar's certification program was preceded by a designation plan that began in 1975. To become designated, Bar members only had to verify they had attended the required number of approved course hours for that designation area. Certification requires attendance at more courses, peer review, and passing a written exam. In 1996, the designation plan was phased out.

Both programs addressed...