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Legal Malpractice Board Certification by the ABPLA

The Legal Malpractice Board Certification by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA) is a distinguished credential granted to attorneys who exhibit advanced expertise and extensive experience in handling legal malpractice cases. To achieve certification, attorneys must meet strict eligibility criteria, including significant trial experience, and successfully pass a comprehensive examination. This certification serves as a reliable standard for the public, helping them identify highly skilled attorneys dedicated to excellence in representing clients in complex legal malpractice matters.

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To earn board certification in Legal Malpractice Law from the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA), an attorney must demonstrate substantial, hands-on experience in representing clients in legal malpractice cases. This involves active participation in at least 20 contested matters or proceedings where substantive testimony was presented, including trials, evidentiary hearings, depositions, or arbitration sessions. The attorney must also have acted as lead counsel in a specified number of cases that reached final resolution, particularly those involving complex claims of attorney negligence.

Furthermore, the applicant must have been actively involved in critical stages of legal malpractice litigation, such as conducting direct and cross-examinations, delivering oral arguments, and handling intricate issues related to professional standards and fiduciary duties. These stringent requirements ensure that certified attorneys possess advanced skills in trial advocacy, legal strategy, and case management, distinguishing them as experts in legal malpractice law.

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ABPLA Legal Malpractice Lawyer Specialists Active on Lawyer Legion

Randell C Roberts
Roberts & Roberts
Tyler, TX
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John Philip Blumberg
Blumberg Law Corporation
Long Beach, CA
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David Drexler
The Drexler Law Firm
Los Angeles, CA
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J Benton Stewart II
Stewart Law, PLLC
Riverview, FL
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Andrew Lavoott Bluestone
Andrew Lavoott Bluestone Law Firm
New York, NY
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David Owen Day
Law Office of David Day, PC
Cookeville, TN
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More About Legal Malpractice Board Certification by the ABPLA

Requirements for ABPLA Certification in Legal Malpractice Law

The American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA) certifies attorneys in Legal Malpractice Law who demonstrate significant expertise, advanced knowledge, and extensive experience in handling complex legal malpractice cases. Below are the key requirements for earning this prestigious certification:


1. Active Practice Requirement

  • The applicant must have been actively practicing law for at least five years.
  • During the three years immediately preceding the application, the attorney must have devoted at least 25% of their practice to legal malpractice cases, representing plaintiffs or defendants.

2. Trial and Litigation Experience

  • The attorney must have acted as lead counsel in at least 10 civil trials or arbitrations where testimonial evidence was presented to a fact-finder.
  • Of these 10 cases, at least one must have been a jury trial involving legal malpractice claims.
  • In addition, the applicant must have participated in 20 additional contested matters related to legal malpractice litigation. These matters may include:
    • Evidentiary hearings
    • Depositions
    • Pre-trial and post-trial motions
    • Arbitration or mediation proceedings

3. Recent Case Involvement

  • Within the three years immediately preceding the application, the attorney must meet one of the following criteria:
    • Participate in at least two cases that proceeded to trial, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution involving legal malpractice claims.
    • Perform at least 36 litigation actions, such as depositions, hearings, or oral arguments, related to legal malpractice.
    • Provide a combination of trial days, litigated matters, or performances demonstrating substantial involvement in legal malpractice litigation.

4. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirement

  • The applicant must have completed at least 36 hours of CLE in legal malpractice or professional liability law during the three years preceding the application.
  • These CLE courses must cover key topics, such as:
    • Professional negligence
    • Fiduciary duties of attorneys
    • Standards of care in legal representation
    • Ethical considerations in legal malpractice cases

5. Peer References

  • The applicant must provide 10 references, including:
    • 5 judges who have observed the attorney’s courtroom performance.
    • 5 attorneys familiar with the applicant’s legal malpractice practice.

6. Written Examination

  • The attorney must pass a written examination administered by the ABPLA.
  • The exam tests the attorney’s knowledge of legal malpractice law, including:
    • Standards of care in legal practice
    • Procedural and evidentiary rules in malpractice litigation
    • Ethical issues in professional liability cases

7. Writing Sample

  • The applicant must submit a memorandum of law or brief related to a legal malpractice case, primarily authored by the applicant, and submitted to a trial or appellate court.

8. Professional Standing

  • The applicant must be a member in good standing of the bar in all jurisdictions where they are licensed to practice.
  • The applicant must not have any disciplinary actions or ethical violations that would reflect negatively on their qualifications for certification.

9. Certification Duration and Recertification

  • Certification is valid for five years.
  • To maintain certification, attorneys must apply for recertification by demonstrating continued involvement in legal malpractice practice and completing additional CLE requirements.

These stringent requirements ensure that attorneys certified by the ABPLA in Legal Malpractice Law possess the highest level of skill, knowledge, and experience, distinguishing them as leaders in the field of legal malpractice litigation.


Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Obligations

To maintain board certification in Legal Malpractice Law from the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA), attorneys must fulfill specific Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements. These obligations ensure that certified attorneys stay current on developments in legal malpractice law, ethical standards, and procedural rules.


Initial CLE Requirements for Certification

  • Attorneys applying for certification must have completed at least 36 hours of CLE in professional liability law, with a focus on legal malpractice, during the three years immediately preceding the application.
  • CLE courses should cover critical areas such as:
    • Professional negligence and breach of fiduciary duty
    • Attorney-client relationships and conflicts of interest
    • Litigation strategies and case law updates in legal malpractice
    • Ethical obligations and disciplinary procedures

Ongoing CLE Requirements for Recertification

  • To maintain certification, attorneys must complete an additional 36 hours of CLE in legal malpractice law during each five-year certification period.
  • CLE courses must continue to focus on advanced topics related to legal malpractice litigation, including recent legal developments, procedural changes, and ethical issues.

Documentation and Compliance

  • Attorneys must provide proof of CLE completion, including course certificates and detailed descriptions of the courses taken, during both the initial certification and recertification processes.
  • The ABPLA may audit CLE records to verify compliance with these obligations.

By meeting these CLE obligations, board-certified attorneys demonstrate their ongoing commitment to professional development, ensuring they remain highly skilled and knowledgeable in representing clients in complex legal malpractice cases.


Other Legal Malpractice Specialty Certifications by Other Organizations

Directory of ABPLA Board-Certified Legal Malpractice Specialists in the United States

Lawyer Legion offers a comprehensive national directory of lawyers board-certified in Legal Malpractice Law by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA), along with a broader directory of both certified and non-certified attorneys. This directory serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking qualified legal representation in legal malpractice cases, helping them find experienced professionals with demonstrated expertise and commitment to the field.

Lawyer Legion is the only commercial lawyer directory that fully recognizes all ABA-accredited and ABPLA-certified specialization programs. It provides a dynamic platform showcasing virtually every lawyer who has earned these certifications, including specialists in Legal Malpractice Law certified by the ABPLA.

Use this directory to find board-certified specialists in legal malpractice law across the United States. Begin your search by selecting your state from the list below.


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