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What is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney?

Certified civil trial attorney designations are granted by the New Jersey Supreme Court to attorneys, who are able to demonstrate efficient levels of experience, education, knowledge and skill in civil trial practice. Less than 2% of attorneys have the honor of this accreditation enabling them to advertise they have met the objective and rigorous standards approved by the U.S. Supreme Court and the American Bar Association.

What does it mean when an attorney is certified?

A certified attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. A New Jersey attorney who is certified by the Supreme Court as a civil trial attorney must have:

  • Been a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar for over 5 years.
  • Fulfilled ongoing continuing legal education requirements, i.e.: at least 45 hours of continuing legal education, relevant to the field of civil certification.
  • Demonstrated a substantial level of experience in civil trial law.
  • Been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with his work.
  • Submitted a trial court brief or memorandum, relevant to the field in which you seek certification, prepared by you, and filed in a trial court within the past three years.
  • Provided the names of ten to twelve attorneys and judges who have seen, and can objectively comment on, your trial skills within the past three years.
  • Documented personal participation in at least 45 days of trial during which you served a lead counsel in at least 5 jury cases; substantially participated in at least 5 jury cases to verdict; conducted 25 direct and 25 cross-examination of lay witnesses; conducted 15 direct and 15 cross-examinations of expert witnesses, present at least 8 opening statements; presented at least 4 closing arguments; and conducted at least 5 voir dire jury examinations (in courts which do not permit counsel to conduct voir dire); submitted proposed jury questions for the court at least 10 times.
  • Taken and passed a written examination in civil trial law.