James Michael Messer

Florida Bar Board Certification in Civil Trial Law - For purposes of specialty certification, the Florida Bar defines the term "civil trial law" as the "practice of law dealing with litigation of civil controversies in all areas of law before state courts, federal courts, administrative agencies and arbitrators."

Attorneys certified in civil trial law in have met the minimum standards for civil trial law certification, provided in Rule 6-4.3, include the practice of law for at least 5 years, substantial involvement in the specialty of civil trial law (50% or more), handling of at least 15 contested civil cases, including cases before juries as lead counsel, and 50 hours of approved civil trial law certification continuing legal education. Attorneys certified in civil trial law must also submit to peer review and pass a written examination.