Both Anton Hopen and Andriy Lytvyn hold board certification in Intellectual Property Law by the Florida Bar. Indeed, board certified attorneys are the only lawyers allowed to use the terms specialist. That is to say, the terms B.C.S. for Board Certified Specialist when referring to their legal credentials. Basically, certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar. Significantly, the Bar assure the competency and experience of attorneys in the areas of law approved for certification.
What does it mean to be board certified in Intellectual Property?
- Board certified lawyers have a minimum of five years in law practice.
- Certified lawyers must show substantial involvement in the field of law for which certification is sought.
- They must receive a passing grade on the examination required of all applicants or meet strict criteria to exempt the exam before officially earning board certification in Intellectual Property; each specialty has a different exam.
- Certified lawyers must satisfy a peer review assessment of their competence in the specialty field plus character, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law.
- Certified lawyers must satisfy the certification area’s continuing legal education requirements.
- Board certification in Intellectual Property 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, lawyers must meet requirements similar to those for initial certification.
How does the board certification program help an Intellectual Property client?
- The Florida Bar rigorously evaluates each Board certified lawyers’ experience and competency. Florida lawyers to refer to themselves as board certified specialists or to use the letters B.C.S. to indicate Board Certified Specialist when referring to their legal credentials.
- Most important, lawyers holding board certification in Intellectual Property have met The Florida Bar’s highest standards for special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in the practice of law.
How many lawyers are certified in Florida?
- Comparatively, seven percent of eligible Florida Bar members – approximately 5,181 lawyers – have earned board certification in one or more of the 27 specialty areas. Significantly, only 140 of those board certified members have board certification in Intellectual Property.
