In the medical profession, many hospitals forbid doctors to practice without proof of board certification in their specialty. Administrators realize the value of independent screening of credentials and experience. Consumers are therefore afforded added confidence that the doctors treating their conditions are well and truly qualified. And because of its widespread acceptance, most people seeking medical assistance are unlikely to hire uncertified physicians.

Before the NBTA’s founding in 1977 no such mechanism existed for lawyers. Potential clients were forced to rely on word of mouth and advertisements when seeking help in situations often as dire as failing health. The problem was (and still is) that lawyers admitted to their state bar were (and still are) free to accept cases in any area of the law.

LAWYERS SPECIALIZE
As with the medical profession where the body of knowledge is so large that it’s impossible for one doctor to remain current in all areas of specialty, the body of law has grown so large and complex that attorneys can no longer be all things to all people.

But unlike the medical profession, which has embraced specialization and specialty certification, the legal profession has been slow to acknowledge publicly what is has known for years: nearly all lawyers claim specialties, but do so without substantiation beyond reputation or simply saying it’s so.

TRUTH IN ADVERTISING
Unfortunately, not all who claim expertise possess the experience and competence implied by their declarations or ads. Founder Theodore I. Koskoff and several other nationally renowned attorneys formed the National Board of Trial Advocacy in response to this reality and out of a deeply held conviction that the law profession and its clients would benefit from an organization dedicated to establishing objective standards by which to measure experience and expertise.

STAYING BOARD CERTIFIED
Possessing the NBTA certificate means that the attorney has been held to a higher standard of professional and personal conduct. NBTA lawyers maintain active trial practices and are required to submit a disclosure of misconduct annually and, at the end of each five year term, prove once again they meet the standards for certification.