The Board Certification Advantage

Evaluated for Professionalism. Tested for Expertise.

Our Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorneys have dedicated themselves to achieving a heightened level of excellence through character, professionalism, ethics, and credibility in the practice of law.

Meet Our Board Certified Attorneys

Justin Parafinczuk

Shareholder

Mr. Parafinczuk is a Board Certified Civil Trial attorney. Mr. Parafinczuk spends most of his time in trial across the state of Florida. He has a unique combination of trial and appellate skills.

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Austin Carr

Partner

Mr. Carr is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Mr. Carr focuses his practice on tobacco litigation and wrongful death. His trials are frequently broadcasted and highly publicized.

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What is the Florida Bar's lawyer certification program?

Certification is a voluntary program for lawyers, approved by The Florida Supreme Court and administered by The Florida Bar. The program began in 1982 to help the public choose lawyers.

The Florida Bar evaluates all certified lawyers for experience and expertise in a particular area of law and professionalism and ethics in the practice of law. Their slogan is, "Evaluated for Professionalism, Tested for Expertise."

A lawyer who is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar and who meets the standards prescribed by the state's Supreme Court may become board certified in one or more of the 27 certification fields. Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the areas of law approved for certification.

Only seven percent of eligible Florida Bar members – approximately 5,181 lawyers – have earned board certification in one or more of the 27 specialty areas. What are the requirements to become a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney?

The Florida Bar's minimum standards for civil trial law certification, provided in Rule 6-4.3, include:

• Practice of law for at least five years;
• Substantial involvement in the specialty of civil trial law — 50% or more — during the three years immediately preceding application;
• Handling of at least 15 contested civil cases, including cases before juries as lead counsel and as trier of fact on some or all of the issues;
• 50 hours of approved civil trial law certification continuing legal education in the three years immediately preceding application;
• Peer review; and,
• A written examination.

Learn More

Visit FloridaBar.org to learn more about what it means to hire a board-certified lawyer.