Certified Trial Attorney
Why Should You Use a Certified Civil or Criminal Trial Attorney?
Donald A. DiGioia has been certified by the Supreme Court as both a Civil and Criminal Trial Attorney from 1986 to the present. Of the approximately 90,000 licensed attorneys in New Jersey, fewer than 60 lawyers throughout the entire state are certified as both civil and criminal trial attorneys.
“Certified Trial Attorney” is a designation granted by the New Jersey Supreme Court to attorneys who are able to demonstrate sufficient levels of experience, education, knowledge and skill in criminal and/or civil trial practice. The Supreme Court, through its Board on Trial Attorney Certification, designated only those lawyers who apply for certification and who are able to meet the standards set by the Board and approved by the Court.
An attorney must meet the following requirements to become Board Certified:
- Must be a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar for at least 5 years
- In the 3 years prior to filing an application, must have taken continuing legal education courses
- Must show a substantial involvement in preparation of litigated matters and demonstrate primary responsibility for a specific number of completed trials in New Jersey Superior Court
- Must demonstrate an unblemished reputation by submitting a list of attorneys and judges who will attest to the applicant’s character and ability
- Must pass written examination covering various aspects of trial practice
The Certification program helps consumers find attorneys who have a recognized level of competence in specialized fields of the law. Certification also helps lawyers by giving them a way to make their experience known to the public and to other lawyers.
Certification is good for five years. To be recertified, an attorney must apply for recertification every five years and meet requirements that are similar to certification.
Although many practicing trial attorneys now advertise in newspapers, on television in the Yellow Pages, and on the internet, only attorneys such as Donald A. DiGioia who are certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court are entitled to use either the designation “Certified Civil Trial Attorney” or “Certified Criminal Trial Attorney” on their letterhead, business cards, Yellow Pages listings or in their advertisements.
It’s confusing trying to choose a trial attorney. You may have never needed a trial attorney before, so you ask a friend to refer you to someone, or look in the Yellow Pages where hundreds, or even thousands of attorneys are listed. But how do you choose one attorney over another and how can you be sure that you will choose the right attorney to handle your particular legal problem?
Finding the right attorney is to your benefit and to the attorney’s as well. That is why the Supreme Court of New Jersey has directed the Board on Trial Attorney Certification to carry out the certification program in an effort to raise the level of competence of trial attorneys in this State. This program is designated to help you make an informed decision when seeking and selecting a trial lawyer.
The process of choosing a trial attorney is confusing. You may never have needed a trial attorney before, so you may ask a friend for a referral or look at advertisements where hundreds of attorneys may be listed. How do you choose one attorney over another and how can you be sure that you will choose the right attorney to handle your particular legal problems?
Finding the right attorney is to your benefit and to the attorney’s as well. That is why the Supreme Court of New Jersey directed the Board on Trial Attorney Certification to carry out the small certification program in an effort to raise the level of confidence of trial attorneys in this State. This program is designed to help you make an informed decision when seeking and selecting a trial lawyer.
Anyone in need of more information regarding the certification program should address his/her questions to: Board on Trial Attorney Certification cn 970, Trenton, New Jersey 08625 1- (609) 984-3077.