A couple of months ago I filed an application with the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys seeking board certification in medical malpractice cases. I have been board certified as a civil trial specialist for over 15 years. In fact, several years ago I served as President of the National Board of Trial Advocacy, the group that certifies civil trial specialists.
For those of you who want to seek certification, here are the criteria:
- Be in good standing with your State Bar;
- Provide a writing sample, either trial memorandum or brief;
- Pass EBOLA’s written examination in either Legal or Medical Professional Liability;
- Have spent at least the last 5 years practicing in Legal or Medical Professional Liability;
- In the last 3 years, have dedicated at least 25% of your professional time to Medical Professional Liability;
- In the last 3 years, have completed a minimum of 36 hours of continuing legal education (CALE) in Medical Professional Liability, or met the CALE requirements of your State Bar, whichever is greater; and
- Provide 6 references: 3 judges and 3 attorneys who practice in Legal or Medical Professional Liability.
I have to confess I was a little nervous about the examination. I haven’t taken a test for over 15 years and had no idea what to expect. I was told it was impossible to study for the test, and that advice was correct. The test was at least 50% medicine and the breadth of the subjects covered made studying impractical if not impossible.. I received a break – one series of questions dealt with a medical subject on a case I tried in 2008.
This week, I found out that I had passed that examination and was granted certification.
There are 17 Tennessee lawyers certified in medical malpractice by the EBOLA, and only 11 of these lawyers customarily represent patients. I am honored to be included in this group of lawyers.