Our lead attorney, Matt Kyle is board certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS), and in civil trial law by the National Board of Trial Advocates Division of National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC). But what does board certification mean and why does it matter?
As a matter of fact, board certification is a relatively revolutionary thing for the legal profession.
On the other hand, in something like health services, doctors have long since realized that entire body of medical knowledge would be beyond overwhelming for any single individual. Therefore, doctors actively seek extensive specialization in narrow areas of expertise and have set up national and international certification boards that can testify that a doctor is competent in his or her chosen area. Today, it’s basically a given that any doctor you’d consider visiting has to be certified.
Legal knowledge has grown so vast and complex, yet any licensed lawyer is still allowed to practice any area of law. It was only in the last few decades that lawyers even began moving toward more specialization and set up processes for third-party certification. Just as any medical patient should prefer an actual doctor, legal clients would be better served by lawyers who are certified in the relevant area of law. As the NBLSC states, “All trial lawyers are not created equal. Don’t settle for someone else’s word when you require a lawyer’s services.”
Of the over 70,000 attorneys licensed to practice in Texas, less than 10 percent have earned board certification. These numbers are both a testament to the fact that a huge number of attorneys are probably not quite as competent as their advertisements may suggest and to the rigor of the certification processes.
For example, the TBLS certifies lawyers in 21 areas of law and its requirements include practicing for at least 5 years with at least 3 years of substantial involvement in one area of law. The attorney must also be able to present at least 5 references involved in the area of law, provide documentation of substantial involvement and special competence, and pass a grueling day-long exam. To top it off, certified attorneys have to regularly repeat the process to maintain their certification.
If you’ve been injured because of somebody else’s fault, you need to hire the most experienced legal representation possible. Matt Kyle has a wining history and is a board certified personal injury trial lawyer as well as a Texas “Super Lawyer” for 2011. Contact The Kyle Law Firm today to set up your free consultation and get on your way to winning the compensation you deserve.
