One of the more frightening tasks many people face is identification of a lawyer who is competent to try a lawsuit to a verdict. The Bar in many states does not sponsor or endorse any specialty certification, so consumers may find it difficult to identify lawyers with specific areas of competence.

In an attempt to raise the standards for lawyers throughout the United States who undertake to represent clients in litigation through a trial, several National Boards have been established, and have been recognized by the American Bar Association.

The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) is a nonprofit organization which seeks to improve the quality of trial advocacy and to aid clients in choosing experienced legal representation. Since certification by NBTA is voluntary, a board certified attorney has taken the extra time and effort to meet all the standards set forth by the NBTA. It is similar in philosophy to the medical profession wherein many medical doctors are board certified in a. specific area of practice.

In order to become certified by the NBTA, the attorney must meet and document the following:

• At least five years as a practicing attorney
• Concentration in the field of concentration
• Completion of at least fifteen trials to verdict or judgment, as well as forty additional matters
• Continuing legal education in the field of trial advocacy
• Review of a writing sample in the form of a trial court brief
• Proof of good standing in the profession
• Successful completion of a day long written examination.
• Certification is for a period of five years, after which time the attorney must meet the requirements for recertification. These requirements include: continuing legal education, peer review, proof of good standing in the profession and, of course, an active trial practice.

The Georgia Bar has recently begun to recognize nationally sanctioned legal specialty certification programs including the NBTA.

Presently, there are over 1300 attorneys certified nationwide in Civil Trial Advocacy. Ken Shigley is one of 29 NBTA board-certified civil trial advocates in Georgia, having been certified in 1995 and recertified in 2000 and 2005.