Attorneys and Bankruptcy

When hiring an attorney to assist you in filing for bankruptcy, it’s important to make sure they are Board Certified.  Only a small portion of attorneys actually carry this certification. 

What does it mean to be Board Certified? 

In order to qualify, an attorney must have continually practiced in the area for which they seek certification.  If an attorney wants to be certified in Consumer Bankruptcy for example, he or she must have continually worked on such cases for five consecutive years. 

The attorney must also have a considerable amount of continuing legal education that applies, such as seminars on the specific topic of bankruptcy.  In addition, the attorney is required to have a number of contested bankruptcy cases that have gone to hearing, proving they are capable of arguing those cases. 

Certification is not possible without practical experience. 

Finally, a written test must be completed and passed demonstrating the attorney’s knowledge.

Anybody who goes to law school and gets their degree can practice in the area of bankruptcy, but not all attorneys are capable of satisfying all three areas required for board certification. 

If you want a real specialist, someone who knows all the aspects of bankruptcy, make sure you get a bankruptcy attorney that is Board Certified.