by winburnlawWhat Is The “National Board of Trial Advocacy”?
The NBTA “board certifies” lawyers in “civil trial advocacy” in a process sanctioned by the United States Supreme Court. It is probably the most significant way a lawyer can show their professional credentials. Doctors have used Board Certification for many years to denote their specialty in different areas of medicine.
The concept behind this process is that certification will assist the public in identifying attorneys who have experience and background to represent them. To be board certified, a lawyer has to take a test that is somewhat similar to a bar examination, show proof that they have actually tried cases, prove meaningful participation in court and have exhibited good conduct throughout their practice. There are very few lawyers in the State of Vermont who are board certified and they are listed at Nblsc.us. This organization requires payment of an annual fee and also requires re-certification every five years so that continuing proof of standards is maintained.
Patrick Winburn of Winburn Law Offices has been board certified in civil trial advocacy for over 20 years – longer than any other attorney in the State of Vermont.
Winburn Law Offices limits its practice to personal injury matters. It is one of the few offices in Vermont to restrict its practice in this way.
We represent people throughout the State of Vermont – in Springfield, Brattleboro, Woodstock, St. Albans, Rutland, Montpelier, Newfane, Manchester, Wilmington, the Northeast Kingdom, Burlington, Bennington and anywhere else where there is jurisdiction in the State of Vermont. If you have a personal injury problem contact us for a free consultation.
©Winburn Law Offices
by winburnlawLegal Organizations That Rate Lawyers – What Does It Actually Mean?
There are a number of legal organizations that rate lawyers. Some employ meaningful ways of rating lawyers. For other groups, lawyers simply belong the legal “organizations” and are members simply by paying dues.
By paying dues any lawyer can belong to a local or state bar association including the Vermont Bar Association, the Bennington County Bar Association, as well as the American Bar Association. Although there may be standards associated with good conduct, any lawyer can belong by paying their dues. They provide good organizational benefits for lawyers such as continuing legal education programs, meetings, sharing information and lists of members so lawyers can contact each other.
However, lawyers who belong to the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association (a non-profit corporation) have to have tried at least one case and is a useful measure of the attorney you are considering to hire. Pat Winburn is a founding member of the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association and is currently of Trustee on the board of trustees.
Other groups rate lawyers. Most of these rate lawyers in return for a fee. It is not especially meaningful to legal consumers since all they are finding out is that a lawyer has paid money to list themselves on what is supposed to be a “service”.
However, there are a few other organizations that are actually meaningful and have more rigorous membership requirements. Upcoming posts will discuss these – the “National Board of Trial Advocates”, “Martindale-Hubbard”, “Best Lawyers”, “Super Lawyers”, and the “Million Dollar Advocates Forum” are some of these in addition to the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association previously mentioned.
We accept cases throughout the State of Vermont – in Bennington, Burlington, Brattleboro, Rutland, Woodstock, St. Albans, Montpelier, Manchester, Wilmington, Springfield, the Northeast Kingdom and anywhere else where there is jurisdiction in the State of Vermont. If you have a personal injury problem contact us for a free consultation.
©Winburn Law Offices