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Civil Litigation Lawyers

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

The National Board of Trial Advocacy offers several voluntary board certifications that will be of interest to civil litigation attorneys, including civil practice advocacy, civil trial law, family trial law, and Social Security disability law. Contact the board for more information.

Every state requires that lawyers be admitted to the bar of that state before they can practice. Requirements include graduation from an approved law school and passing a written examination in the state in which they intend to practice. In a few states, graduates of law schools within the state are excused from these written examinations. After lawyers have been admitted to the bar in one state, they can practice in another state without taking another written examination if the two states have reciprocity agreements; however, these lawyers will be required to meet certain state standards of good character and legal experience and to pay any applicable fees.