J. Michael Hayes is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) as a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist. The NBTA is the only nationally recognized body that certifies trial attorneys. The NBTA program is considered to be the legal equivalent to medical certification and consists of a written exam, peer review, submission of references, submission of work product, continuing legal education, and a particularized level of intense trial experience. Recertification is required every five years, with annual reporting requirements.
In Peel v. Illinois, 496 U.S. 91, 110 L. Ed. 2d 83, 110 S. Ct. 2281 (1990), the United States Supreme Court stated:
NBTA certification has been described as a ‘highly-structured” and “arduous process that employs a wide range of assessment methods.” After reviewing NBTA's procedures, the Supreme Court of Minnesota found that 'NBTA applies a rigorous and exacting set of standards and examinations on a national scale before certifying a lawyer as a trial specialist.' ... The Alabama Supreme Court similarly concluded, 'a certification of specialty by NBTA would indicate a level of expertise with regard to trial advocacy in excess of the level of expertise required for admission to the bar generally.'”
The National Board Of Trial Advocacy is not affiliated with any governmental authority. Certification is not a requirement for the practice of law in the State of New York and does not necessarily indicate greater competence than other attorneys experienced in this field of law.
What is a Board Certified Attorney ?