Board Certified Trial Advocate

Russell D. Hunt Sr. is board-certified by both the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) and the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA).

Board Certification In Texas

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization recognizes attorneys in various areas of the law who, because of experience, training, and knowledge, are awarded Certificates of Special Competence. The general requirements for board certification by the TBLS are that the attorney must have:

  • Been licensed for at least five years
  • Spent three years of practice in the specialty field
  • Devoted 25 to 50 percent of practice to the field of specialty
  • Handled a wide variety of cases in the field
  • Attended continuing legal education seminars
  • Received approval of Judges and colleagues
  • Passed a written examination

There are currently approximately 5,000 Texas attorneys who are board-certified, out of a total State Bar Membership of approximately 55,000. Certification is for a period of five years. To remain certified after that time, every five years the attorney must apply for recertification, meeting the requirements for continuing legal education, peer review and substantial involvement in the specialty field.

A board-certified attorney is entitled to an indication of certification on the business card and letterhead, display of Certificate of Special Competence, and by listing the certification in legal directories and telephone listings under “Attorneys (or Lawyers)” — Board Certified.

National Certification

Russ Hunt Sr. is licensed to practice law in both Texas and Minnesota. Minnesota, like most states but unlike Texas, does not have a state specialization program. Consequently, Russ sought and obtained certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), Division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, an organization which is nationally recognized.

Before the founding of the NBTA in 1977, there was no national board certification program. In order to become board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, applicants must undergo a thorough screening of their credentials, including documentation of their experience, judicial and peer references, and a written examination. Additionally, they must report all disciplinary matters before any official body, whether public or private, for scrutiny by the NBTA Standards Committee.

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