When you choose an attorney for a personal injury or wrongful death case in Florida, one credential matters a lot: Board Certification in Civil Trial Law. Fewer than 1% of Florida attorneys have this certification. The credential can make a real difference in how your case is handled and how seriously the other side takes it.
What Does "Board Certified" Actually Mean?
Any lawyer can call himself or herself a "personal injury attorney" or a "trial lawyer." Board certification is different. It is awarded by The Florida Bar to attorneys who have proven their knowledge, skill, and experience in a specific area of law.
To become board certified in Civil Trial Law, an attorney must:
- Practice law for several years, usually at least five, with significant civil trial experience;
- Handle real jury trials through verdict or judgment, not only settlements;
- Pass a difficult written exam on civil trial law and procedure;
- Go through peer review, where judges and lawyers evaluate the attorney's skill, ethics, and professionalism; and
- Keep learning through ongoing legal education in trial law.
The Advantages of Hiring a Board Certified Trial Lawyer
1. Proven Trial Experience, Not Just Settlement Experience
Insurance companies know which lawyers try cases and which lawyers almost always settle. If a law firm rarely goes to trial, it may have less leverage in settlement talks. A board certified trial lawyer has already shown that they are willing and able take cases in front of a jury. That reputation can help the entire law firm in negotiations.
2. Insurance Companies Negotiate Differently
A case is not valued only by its facts. It also depends on whether the other side believes your lawyer can win at trial. When your lawyer is board certified, insurance adjusters and defense lawyers often take settlement talks more seriously. They know your lawyer is prepared to take the case to trial if they do not make a fair offer.
3. Independently Verified Skill — Not Self-Proclaimed
Anyone can advertise that they are an "aggressive trial attorney." Board certification is different. It cannot be bought. It requires review by judges and lawyers who know the attorney's work in the courtroom. It is one of the strongest ways the legal profession identifies true trial experience.
4. Deeper Command of Complex Litigation
Serious injury and wrongful death cases can be very complicated. They may involve disputed facts, expert witnesses, large damages, and legal motions that can affect the case before trial. Board certified trial lawyers are tested on these issues. They also must stay current on trial law and procedure to keep their certification.
5. Accountability Through Ongoing Peer Review
Certification is not a one-time achievement. It must be renewed. To keep it, an attorney must continue practicing at a high level and stay in good standing with peers and the courts. That ongoing review helps protect clients.
Why This Matters for Your Case
Most personal injury and wrongful death cases settle before trial. But the amount of the settlement often depends on whether the other side believes your attorney is ready and able to try the case in front of a jury. Hiring a law firm with a board certified trial lawyer sends that message from the start.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, or if your family has lost someone because of another person's negligence, the lawyer you choose matters. Look for trial experience that has been tested and verified, not just advertised.
Board Certified Trial Experience at Englander Peebles
At Englander Peebles, this level of trial experience is part of our team. Our partners are experienced trial attorneys. Partner Patrick W. Knight, Esq. is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer who has tried over 175 jury trials. That means he has met The Florida Bar's strict standards for trial experience, peer review, and courtroom skill. When you bring your case to our firm, you get the benefit of that certified trial experience from day one. Our team is prepared to fight for full and fair compensation, whether through settlement or trial.