The specialty field of civil trial law is the practice of law dealing with the representation of parties before federal and state courts in non-criminal matters. The Standards and Requirements for Certification can be found here.
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You are eligible to be an MSBA Certified Civil Trial Law Specialist if you have been admitted to the practice of law continuously for at least five years and 50% of your full-time practice is in active participation in civil trial law.
Combine these qualifications with your high ethical standards, excellent peer reviews, specialized legal education, tested knowledge, and evidence of the basic experience requirements listed below to achieve the honorable distinction of Certified Specialist. Your experience will be measured by meeting the following experience requirements:
- Two (2) Jury Trials, involving live testimony and lasting at least two (2) full days
- Ten (10) additional Trial Units; jury trials counting for two (2) units and court trials counting as one (1) unit.
- Seventy-Five (75) Experience Units, including jury trials, court trials, and contested matters such as arbitrations, administrative hearings, evidentiary hearings, depositions, and pre and post-trial motions.
The Standards and Requirements for Certification can be found here.
Exam Information
DATE
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Deadline to register: September 13, 2023
TIME8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Break - 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
PRE-REQUISITESComplete application, see link above right
Standards for CertificationFORMAT
Online Examination through the NBTA
EXAM CONTENT
Part 1: Multiple Choice
8:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
Civil Evidence (30 Multiple Choice) and Civil Ethics (30 Multiple Choice)
Part 2: Essays
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Civil Litigation Practice – 4 essays
Civil Ethics/Evidence/Trial Practice – 7 Essays
Civil Trial Practice – 12 Essays
EXAM REFERENCE MATERIALS
The following reference materials may be used during the exam:
• Federal Rules of Evidence
• ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility
• Model Rules of Professional Conduct
EXAM FEE
$400, payable directly to the NBTA
Civil Trial Board
Scott M. Rusert, Chair
Valerie Sims, Vice Chair
Candace L. Dale
Brett W. Olander
Daniel B. O'Leary
James M. Sherburne
Janet G. Stellpflug
R. Stephen Tillitt
Brendan R. Tupa
Civil Trial News