What Is A Certified Civil Trial Attorney In New Jersey?

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Author and Certified Civil Trial Attorney Robert W. Rubinstein

Robert W. Rubinstein, Esquire is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney 
Q: What is a certified civil trial attorney?
A: The New Jersey Supreme Court has designated this honor to attorneys who are able to demonstrate sufficient levels of experience, education, knowledge and skill in civil trial practice. The New Jersey Supreme Court, through its Board on Attorney Certification, designates as certified civil trial attorney, only those lawyers who apply for certification and who are able to meet the standards set by the Board and approved by the court. 

Q: What does it mean to be certified?
A: A New Jersey attorney that has been certified by the Supreme Court as a New Jersey Certified Civil Trial Attorney is a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar for at least 5 years, been favorably evaluated by judges and other attorneys familiar with his or her work, fulfilled ongoing continuing legal education requirements, passed a written examination covering various aspects of trial practice, and demonstrated a significant level of experience in civil trial law. 

Q: Why does New Jersey have a program for certification in civil trial law?
A: The certification program helps consumers find attorneys who have a recognized level of competence in specialized fields of the law. Certification also helps lawyers by giving them a way to make their experience known to the public and other lawyers. 

Q: How many attorneys are certified in New Jersey?
A: The certification is earned by only a few attorneys. As of August 1999, there were 68,700 attorneys in the state of New Jersey. Out of these attorneys, less than 3% earned the designation of a Certified Trial Attorney. Approximately 1450 earned the certification.

This information was obtained from the New Jersey Board of Attorney Certification. For more information on the Certified Civil Attorney process or answers to other questions you may have, contact the Board at 609-984-3077 or write to them at P.O. Box 970, Trenton, NJ 08625.