Shannon Warf Kovach - Member information with the North Carolina State Bar - Find more information about Shannon Warf Kovach on the North Carolina State Bar website including status and disciplinary information.
Florida Bar Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law - The criminal trial law specialty certification field was established in 1987 in Florida. Under Rule 6-8.2 the term "criminal law" is defined as the practice of law dealing with "the defense and prosecution of misdemeanor and felony crimes in state and federal trial and appellate courts."
Attorneys certified by the Florida Bar in criminal trial law have meet minimum standards provided in Rule 6-8.3, including: at least 5 years of practicing law; substantial involvement in the specialty of criminal trial law (30% or more during the 3 years immediately preceding application); handling at least 25 contested criminal cases (with 20 jury trials, tried to a verdict, 15 which involved a felony, and 10 as lead counsel).
The Florida attorneys certified as specialist in criminal trial law have also submitted to peer review, passed a rigorous written examination and completed a specified number of continuing legal education (CLE) courses in the specialty area of the law.
In the State of Florida, only certified attorneys are allowed to identify themselves as "specialists" or "experts" or to use the letters "B.C.S." to indicate Board Certified Specialist. Depending on the designation earned, the attorney is allowed to use the phrase "Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law" or "Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law."
TBLS Board Certification in Criminal Law - The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) certifies lawyers as specialists in Criminal Law if they have substantial experience, involvement, competence, and training in this specialty area of practice.
The TBLS defines the term "criminal law" to include "misdemeanor and felony crimes, arrest, detention, plea bargains, jury and non-jury trials (for individuals 17 years of age or older)."
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. Those standards 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.
National Association of Counsel for Children - NACC is accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys as child welfare law specialists and works to improve the quality of legal representation of children in dependency, juvenile delinquency, and family law cases.
National Association of Estate Planners and Councils - NAEPC is accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys as estate planning law specialists.
National Elder Law Foundation - NELF is the only national certifying program for elder law attorneys. The purpose of the program is to acknowledge attorneys who have demonstrated the highest knowledge, proficiency and experience in the field of representing elderly people and people with special needs.
NBLSC Certification in Civil Trial Advocacy - The National Board of Legal Specialty Certification is accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys as specialists in civil trial advocacy.
NBLSC Certification in Family Law Trial Advocacy - The National Board of Legal Specialty Certification is accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys as specialists in family law trial advocacy.
NBLSC Certification in Social Security Disability Advocacy - The National Board of Legal Specialty Certification is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) to certify attorneys as specialists in social security disability advocacy.
ABPLA Certification in Legal Professional Liability - The American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys is accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys as specialists in legal professional liability law.
State Bar of Arizona Certification in Criminal Law - The State Bar of Arizona recognizes attorneys who have submitted to the highest form of evaluation as specialists in criminal law.
NMBLS Certification in Criminal Trial Law - The New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization recognizes attorneys as certified trial specialists in criminal law if they've demonstrated a certain threshold of experience, knowledge and competence in this area.
Minnesota State Bar Association Board Certification in Criminal Law - The MSBA criminal law section certifies lawyers as specialists in criminal law if they've demonstrated exceptional experience, training and competence in this area of practice.
Certified Specialist in Criminal Law in North Carolina - Criminal law was proposed as a specialty area to the North Carolina Bar in 1990.
Thereafter, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated criminal law, including the subspecialty of specialties in state criminal law and juvenile delinquency law, as a field of law for certification of specialists under the North Carolina Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .2502 defines the specialty of criminal law as the "practice of law dealing with the defense or prosecution of those charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes in state and federal trial courts."
The rules also identifies and defines the subspecialty in the field of criminal law as follows: "State Criminal Law--The practice of criminal law in state trial and appellate courts."
NBLSC Certification in Criminal Trial Advocacy - The National Board of Legal Specialty Certification is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) to certify attorneys as specialists in criminal trial advocacy.
Florida Bar Board Certification in Elder Law - Lawyers certified in Elder Law by the Florida Board of Legal Specialization have demonstrated substantial involvement in all aspects of planning for aging, illness, and incapacity.
Because clients in Elder Law cases are predominantly seniors, this area of the law requires the attorney to be particularly sensitive to the legal issues impacting these clients.
Under Rule 6-20.2, the term "Elder Law" means legal issues involving "health and personal care planning, including: advance directives; lifetime planning; family issues; fiduciary representation; capacity; guardianship; power of attorney; financial planning; public benefits and insurance; resident rights in long-term care facilities; housing opportunities and financing; employment and retirement matters; income, estate, and gift tax matters; estate planning; probate; nursing home claims; age or disability discrimination and grandparents' rights."
Board Certified Specialist in Family Law in North Carolina - Family law was added as a specialty area in the spring of 1989. Thereafter, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated family law as a field of law for certification of specialists under the North Carolina Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .2402 defines the specialty of family law as the "practice of law relating to marriage, divorce, alimony, child custody and support, equitable distribution, enforcement of support, domestic violence, bastardy, and adoption."
Board Certified Specialist in Real Property Law in North Carolina - Real estate law was first proposed as a potential specialty area to the North Carolina Bar in 1982. Real estate law was divided into subcategories of commercial real estate and residential real estate in October of 1985.
Thereafter, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated real property law, including the subspecialties of real property-residential transactions and real property-business, commercial, and industrial transactions as a field of law for certification of specialists under the North Carolina Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .2102 defines the specialty of "real property law" as the "practice of law dealing with real property transactions, including title examination, property transfers, financing, leases, and determination of property rights. Subspecialties in the field are identified and defined as follows:
(a) Real Property Law-Residential Transactions. The practice of law dealing with the acquisition, ownership, leasing, financing, use, transfer and disposition, of residential real property by individuals;
(b) Real Property Law-Business, Commercial, and Industrial Transactions. The practice of law dealing with the acquisition, ownership, leasing, management, financing, development, use, transfer, and disposition of residential, business, commercial, and industrial real property."
Board Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy in North Carolina - Bankruptcy was first proposed as a potential specialty area to the North Carolina Bar in 1982.
Thereafter, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated bankruptcy law, including the subspecialties of consumer bankruptcy law and business bankruptcy law, as a field of law for certification of specialists under the Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .2202 defines specialty of bankruptcy law as the "practice of law dealing with all laws and procedures involving the rights, obligations, and remedies between debtors and creditors in potential or pending federal bankruptcy cases and state insolvency actions." The rules identify and define the subspecialties in the bankruptcy field as follows:
(a) The term "consumer bankruptcy law" is defined as the "practice of law dealing with consumer bankruptcy and the representation of interested parties in contested matters or adversary proceedings in individual filings of Chapter 7, Chapter 12, or Chapter 13."
(b) The term "business bankruptcy law" is defined as the "practice of law dealing with business bankruptcy and the representation of interested parties in contested matters or adversary proceedings in bankruptcy cases filed on behalf of debtors who are or have been engaged in business prior to an entity filing Chapter 7, Chapter 9, Chapter 11, or Chapter 12."
Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate in North Carolina - Estate Planning and Probate was first proposed as a potential specialty area to the North Carolina Bar in 1982.
The North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated estate planning and probate law as a field of law for certification of specialists under the Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .2302, defines the specialty of estate planning and probate law as the "practice of law dealing with planning for conservation and disposition of estates, including consideration of federal and state tax consequences; preparation of legal instruments to effectuate estate plans; and probate of wills and administration of estates, including federal and state tax matters."
Board Certified Specialist in Immigration Law in North Carolina - On March 6, 1997, Immigration Law was approved as the sixth specialty area in North Carolina. Thereafter, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated immigration law as a field of law for certification of specialists under the North Carolina Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .2602 defines the specialty of immigration law as the "practice of law dealing with obtaining and retaining permission to enter and remain in the United States including, but not limited to, such matters as visas, changes of status, deportation and exclusion, naturalization, appearances before courts and governmental agencies, and protection of constitutional rights."
Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law - On March 2, 2006, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated Social Security disability law as a field of law for certification of specialists under the North Carolina Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .2802 defines the specialty of Social Security disability law as the "practice of law relating to the analysis of claims and controversies arising under Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act and the representation of claimants in those matters before the Social Security Administration and/or the federal courts."
Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law - On February 5, 2009, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated elder law as a field of law for certification of specialists under the North Carolina Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .2902 defines the specialty of elder law as "the practice of law involving the counseling and representation of older persons and their representatives relative to the legal aspects of health and long term care planning; public benefits; surrogate decision-making, legal capacity; the conservation, disposition, and administration of the estates of older persons; and the implementation of decisions of older persons and their representatives relative to the foregoing with due consideration to the applicable tax consequences of an action, or the need for more sophisticated tax expertise."
Additionally, the rules provide that "[l]awyers certified in elder law must be capable of recognizing issues that arise during counseling and representation of older persons, or their representatives, with respect to abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the older person, insurance, housing, long term care, employment, and retirement. The elder law specialist must also be familiar with professional and non-legal resources and services publicly and privately available to meet the needs of the older persons, and be capable of recognizing the professional conduct and ethical issues that arise during representation."
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney - In 1980, the Supreme Court of New Jersey established the Board on Attorney Certification. The purpose of the attorney certification program was to help the public find an attorney who had a recognized level of competence in particular fields of law such as matrimonial law.
To earn the designation as "Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney" the attorney must demonstrate a sufficient levels of experience, meet continuing legal education (CLE) requirements, show a sufficient level of knowledge and skill in Matrimonial Law, show completion of certain task requirements, pass a rigorous examination, and submit to peer review by other attorneys and judges to confirm the attorneys skills and reputation in Matrimonial Law.
The regulations adopted by the New Jersey Board on Attorney Certification define the term "Matrimonial law" as the "practice of law dealing with all aspects of antenuptial and domestic relationships, divorce, annulments, alimony, child support, separate maintenance, child custody matters, equitable distribution, domestic violence, paternity and post-judgment matters."
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney - In 1980, the Supreme Court of New Jersey established the Board on Attorney Certification. The purpose of the attorney certification program was to help the public make an informed decision when seeking and selecting a lawyer.
To earn the designation as "Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney" the lawyer must be a member in good standing of the New Jersey State Bar for more than five years, comply with continuing legal education (CLE) requirements, show a sufficient level of knowledge and skill in Civil Trial Law, pass a rigorous examination, and submit to peer review by other attorneys and judges.
Attorneys who earn the designation as certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey must also show completion of certain task requirements including the litigation through trial of civil controversies before the Superior Court of New Jersey or in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Civil trial law also includes litigation of civil cases before administrative agencies and arbitrators.
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney - The New Jersey Board on Attorney Certification was created in 1980 by the New Jersey Supreme Court. The specialty certification program was created to help the public make an informed decision when seeking and selecting a Civil Trial Law attorney.
To earn the special designation, the attorney must be in good standing with the New Jersey State Bar, have at least 5 years experience, show completion of continuing legal education (CLE) requirements, pass a rigorous examination, and submit to peer review by other attorneys and judges familiar with the attorneys practice and reputation.
Attorneys who earn the designation as certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey must also show completion of certain task requirements including the litigation through trial of civil controversies before the Superior Court of New Jersey or in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Civil trial law also includes litigation of civil cases before administrative agencies and arbitrators.
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney - In 1980, the Supreme Court of New Jersey established the Board on Attorney Certification.
The purpose of the attorney certification program was to help the public find an attorney who had a recognized level of competence in particular fields of law such as Criminal Trial Law.
To earn the designation, the criminal trial attorney must devoted a substantial portion of professional time to the preparation of criminal cases in the state Superior Court, which includes the trial courts, or the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
The criminal justice attorney must show completion of certain task requirements including a minimum of twenty-five trial days in contested actions concerning indictable offenses.
The regulations provide that the Board will also consider contested actions involving "domestic violence orders based upon crimes; contempt charges in family court; juvenile cases involving crimes; and trial-type hearings in Superior Court." R.G. 203:1(e)(1).
Before earning the designation as "Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney" the lawyer must also submit to peer review by other attorneys and judges, complete continuing legal education courses, and pass a rigorous examination.
ABPLA Certification in Medical Professional Liability - The American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA) is the only organization accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys in medical professional liability law.
Board Certification in Creditor's Rights Law - The American Board of Certification (ABC) is accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys as specialists in Creditor's Rights Law.
Board Certification in Consumer Bankruptcy Law - The American Board of Certification (ABC) is accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys as specialists in consumer bankruptcy law.
Board Certification in Business Bankruptcy Law - The American Board of Certification (ABC) is accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys as specialists in business bankruptcy law.
National Association of Counsel for Children - NACC is accredited by the ABA to certify attorneys as child welfare law specialists and works to improve the quality of legal representation of children in dependency, juvenile delinquency, and family law cases.
Florida Bar Board Certification in Criminal Appellate - Lawyers certified in Criminal Appellate Law by the Florida Board of Legal Specialization have demonstrated substantial involvement in this area of the law.
The term "criminal appellate law" is defined as the practice of law that involves "the recognition and preservation of error committed by lower tribunals in criminal cases, and the presentation of argument concerning the presence or absence of such error to state or federal appellate courts." Criminal Appellate law can involve appeals from either misdemeanor or felony convictions.
Certified Specialist in Juvenile Delinquency Law - The North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated juvenile delinquency law as a subspecialty of criminal law and a subspecialty field of law for certification.
Attorneys who earn certification as a specialist in juvenile delinquency law must meet certain standards for substantial involvement and specific task requirements such as representing juveniles in juvenile delinquency felony proceedings in juvenile court.
Task requirements might also include representing a juvenile after a case is transferred to adult court.
The rules also set standards for peer review, examination in juvenile justice topics, and completion of continuing legal education requirements.
Board Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation in North Carolina - On May 4, 2000, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated workers' compensation as a field of law for certification of specialists under the North Carolina Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .2702 defines the specialty of workers' compensation as the "practice of law involving the analysis of problems or controversies arising under the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act (Chapter 97, North Carolina General Statutes) and the litigation of those matters before the North Carolina Industrial Commission."
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Workers' Compensation Law Attorney - In 1980, the Supreme Court of New Jersey established the Board on Attorney Certification. The purpose of the attorney certification program was to help the public find an attorney who had a recognized level of competence in particular fields of law such as Workers' Compensation Law.
To earn the special designation the attorney must devote a substantial portion of his or her practice to the area of workers' compensation, complete a minimum of 120 workers' compensation cases cumulatively during a three year period prior to applying for certification, handled at least ten contested workers' compensation actions "to a decision by the compensation court or in substantial part prior to a settlement." RG. 203:3.
In addition to the task requirements, to obtain the certification the attorney must be in good standing before the New Jersey State Bar, have five years experience, complete continuing legal education (CLE) courses related to workers' compensation, pass a rigorous examination and submit to peer review by other attorneys and judges.
Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law in North Carolina - On March 8, 2013 the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated Trademark Law as a specialty field under the North Carolina Plan of Legal Specialization.
State Bar Rules, Ch. 1, Subch. D, .3102 defines the specialty of trademark law as the "practice of law devoted to commercial symbols, and typically includes the following: advising clients regarding creating and selecting trademarks; conducting and/or analyzing trademark searches; prosecuting trademark applications; enforcing and protecting trademark rights; and counseling clients on matters involving trademarks."
Attorneys that focus on trademark law in North Carolina regularly practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), the Trademark Division of the NC Secretary of State's Office, and the North Carolina and/or federal courts.
