What does “Board Certified” mean?

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Board Certification is a voluntary designation program regulated by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for legal assistants and attorneys. Initial certification is valid for a period of five years. To remain board certified, legal assistants and attorneys are required to apply for re-certification every five years and meet considerable involvement, peer review and continuing legal education requirements for the area of specialization.

An attorney must meet the following criteria to become Board Certified in Family Law:

  • Been licensed to practice law for a minimum of five years;
  • Dedicated a required percentage of practice to Family Law for a minimum of three years;
  • Handled a wide variety of Family Law matters to establish involvement and experience;
  • Regularly attended Family Law education seminars to remain current on legal training;
  • Been evaluated by judges and fellow lawyers;
  • Successfully completed a 6-hour written examination about Family Law.

Approximately only 1% of Texas Attorneys are Board Certified. Christopher C. Merritt has been Board Certified in Family Law since 2001.