TALLAHASSEE — A Crestview woman is among 192 lawyers who recently earned Florida Bar board certification.
Ashley Brooke McElreath Rogers, Crestview, is among the only group of Florida lawyers who may use the terms "specialist," "expert" or "B.C.S.," for board certified specialist, when referring to their legal credentials, according to the Board of Legal Specialization and Education. Rogers was certified in real estate law.
Board certification evaluates attorneys' special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. About 4,800 of Florida's almost 101,000 lawyers have earned board certification. Florida offers 25 specialty areas for board certification, more than any other state.
“Lawyers strive for excellence in every endeavor,” said Board of Legal Specialization and Education Chair Cynthia Johnson-Stacks. “Board certification is the natural progression of this innate desire, as it is the only way that lawyers can say that they are ‘evaluated for professionalism and tested for expertise’ by The Florida Bar in their various practice areas.”
Each area of certification may contain higher or additional standards, however the minimum requirements for certification are:
•A minimum of five years in law practice.
•Substantial involvement in the field of law for which certification is sought.
•Satisfactory peer review from other lawyers and judges to assess competence in the specialty field as well as character, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law.
•Satisfaction of the certification area's continuing legal education requirements.
•A passing grade on the examination required of all applicants.
Board certification is valid for five years. During that time, attorneys must continue to practice law and attend Florida Bar-approved continuing legal education courses.
Recertification requirements are similar to those for initial certification. Not all qualified lawyers are certified, but those who are board certified have voluntarily taken the extra step to have their competence and experience evaluated.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview lawyer earns Florida Bar board certification