The Minnesota State Bar Association announced that attorney Bob Bennett of Flynn | Gaskins | Bennett, Minneapolis has been recertified as a Civil Trial Specialist: an attorney who has completed a rigorous approval process to establish full qualification for reliable experience and skills as a Specialist in their practice area. Civil Trial Specialists handle cases in state or federal courts for individuals or businesses. The MSBA initially certified Bennett as a Civil Trial Specialist in 1988. This Certified Legal Specialist designation makes Bennett one of a limited number of attorneys in Minnesota to have earned the credential. Approximately 2% of the 1,300 attorneys belonging to the MSBA Civil Litigation Section are board certified as civil trial specialists. “Becoming a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist is one way for me to demonstrate my commitment to civil trial work. I want my clients to have the peace of mind from knowing my qualifications and skills have been reviewed and confirmed by an independent organization” explains Bennett.

Certified Legal Specialists is recognized in many professions as a reliable way to identify practitioners who have demonstrated superior knowledge, skill and integrity in a specific field. Although relatively new to the legal profession, the medical profession has been certifying specialists for close to 100 years. “Specialist Certified Legal Specialists helps prospective clients identify an attorney who can assist them in a highly professional manner and has grown in importance as the number of lawyers continues to increase and the areas of law become ever more complex”, states former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice James H. Gilbert.

The Minnesota State Bar Association Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist credential is earned by successfully completing a day-long examination. The attorney must also demonstrate a substantial level of experience and legal education in trial skills. They must pass a disciplinary check and successfully obtain objective review by judges and attorneys who have actually seen the attorney in court appearances. Compliance with Certified Legal Specialists standards is audited every year. Every six years the specialist must be recertified to insure that the attorney has maintained his expertise.

The Minnesota State Bar Association has been accredited by the Minnesota State Board of Legal Certified Legal Specialists to certify attorneys as civil trial specialists since 1988. More information about MSBA Board Certified Legal Specialists is available at www.mnbar.org.