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MSBA
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4th Annual Free Civil Trial Specialists’ Seminar
4.5 CLE credits
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
June 24, 2008
Town & Country Club
Order Form: Program Materials
The MSBA certifies specialists in two fields:
Civil Trial
Real PropertyFAQ
Contact:
Jessica Thomas
Certified Specialist Manager
Minnesota State Bar Association
600 Nicollet Mall #380
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612/278-6318
800/882-6722
Certification
When you're on top of things
What are the requirements to remain a board certified Civil Trial specialist?
To remain certified, a specialist must complete an audit on a yearly basis attesting to substantial involvement (50% of practice) in civil trial law and disclosing any ethical or professional misconduct. If the audit year coincides with the specialist's CLE reporting year, he must also attach a report showing compliance with 30 credits of certification approved civil trial law courses. The specialist must pay an annual fee. Every six years, the specialist must be recertified. Forms are mailed to the specialist in October with a two month deadline.
What are the requirements to remain a board certified Real Property specialist?
To remain certified, a specialist must complete an audit on a yearly basis attesting to substantial involvement (25% of practice/no less than 300 hours) in real property law and disclosing any ethical or professional misconduct. If the audit year coincides with the specialist's CLE reporting year, he must also attach a report showing compliance with 30 credits of certification approved real property law courses, of which no more than 10 can be at a basic level. The specialist must pay an annual fee. Every six years, the specialist must be recertified. Forms are mailed to the specialist in October with a two month deadline.
What are the requirements for Civil Trial recertification?
To be recertified, in addition to the annual audit disclosures, the specialist must document lead counsel experience of at least four trial units. A jury trial is worth two trial units. A court trial is worth one trial unit. The specialist must attest to 50 additional experience units as defined in the standards. The specialist must provide the names of two attorneys and one judge to attest to his competence and involvement in the practice of civil law. The Civil Trial Board retains the right to contact other attorneys and judges than those provided by the specialist. The specialist must also pay a recertification fee of $100 ($115 for non-MSBA members).
What are the requirements for Real Property recertification?
To be recertified, in addition to the annual audit disclosures, the specialist must provide the number of matters handled in listed practice areas The specialist must pay a recertification fee of $75 (90 for non-MSBA members). The Real Property Board retains the right to re-examine a specialist in exceptional circumstances.
Who makes up the Civil Trial Board?
The Board has nine volunteer certified specialist members. Three are appointed by the MSBA, three are appointed by Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association and three are appointed by the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association. Board names are posted on the website.
Who makes up the Real Property Board?
The Board has six volunteer certified specialist members. Board names are posted on the website.
Where can I find continuing legal education courses approved by the Legal Specialist Certification Program for my required certification credits?
MSBA certification reviews all requests for specialization approval submitted by CLE vendors and updates its database regularly with course approval information, including upcoming seminars. This database is posted on the website. You may also call MSBA certification at 612-278-6318/ 800-882-6722 with questions about specific courses. If a vendor has not applied for certification credit for a course, you can call the CLE vendor and request that they do so.
Are there advertising guidelines related to MSBA attorney certification?
For the sake of consistency and uniformity to benefit the public in identifying MSBA certified specialists, the Certification Boards request that you use the following:
- MSBA Board Certified [Civil Trial] [Real Property Law] Specialist; or
- MSBA Board Certified Specialist in [Civil Trial] [Real Property Law]