BOARD-CERTIFIED LAWYERS AVAILABLE AS FT. MYERS/NAPLES-AREA MEDIA CONTACTS; FLORIDA BAR OFFERS NEW LINK TO ONLINE DIRECTORY OF CERTIFIED LAWYERS

April 1, 2005

TALLAHASSEE – Consumers have a new, online resource to connect them with a directory of lawyers who are certified by The Florida Bar: www.flabar.org/certification links consumers to the Bar’s list of certified lawyers by specialty area and by city. Note: The Bar’s Web site lists all Florida attorneys by city.

Lawyers certified by The Florida Bar are available for comment, interviews or contribution to news stories. Ft. Myers/Naples-area media contacts and their certification areas:

Joseph Dominic Zaks
Roetzel & Andress LPA, Naples
239/649-2720 phone
jzaks@ralaw.com
Wills, Trusts & Estates

Jeffrey D. Fridkin
Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, Athan & Crown, P.A., Naples
Pelican Bay Corporate Centre
239/514-1000 phone
jfridkin@gfpac.com
Civil Trial and Business Litigation

Grant Alley
City Attorney, City of Ft. Myers
239/332-6709 phone
galley@cityftmyers.com
City, County & Local Government Law

What is a board-certified attorney and why is the online directory important to consumers?

- 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.

- Board Certification means that the certified attorney has met rigorous, objective standards and has demonstrated experience and expertise in a particular area of law.

- You expect that other professionals you deal with – doctors, dentists, accountants, teachers – will be independently certified. Not all qualified lawyers are certified, but those who are board certified have taken the extra step to have their competence and experience recognized.

- Certified attorneys are the only lawyers allowed to identify or advertise themselves as "Florida Bar Board Certified,” as specialists or as experts.

Board-certified lawyers are specialists who meet Florida’s high legal standards. Only 3,800 of Florida’s 75,000 lawyers are board certified. Minimum requirements are listed below; each area of certification may contain higher or additional standards.

- A minimum of five years in law practice
- A satisfactory showing of substantial involvement in the field of law for which certification is sought
- A passing grade on the examination required of all applicants
- Satisfactory peer review assessment of competence in the specialty field as well as character, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law
- Satisfaction of the certification area’s continuing legal education requirements

Note: Board certification is valid for five years, during which time the attorney must continue to practice law and attend Florida Bar-approved continuing legal education courses. To be recertified, requirements similar to those for initial certification must be met.

For more information, please call The Florida Bar’s Public Information Office at 850/561-5769.

CONTACT: Lisa Garcia, APR
DATE: April 1, 2005
TELEPHONE: 850/561-5769