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Certifications and Distinctions

Board Certification by The Florida Bar

The Florida Bar awards, or “board certifies,” attorneys who practice law in the State of Florida with the highest level of legal ability and experience.  The Florida Bar states that Board Certification is its highest level of evaluation of competency and experience within an area of law, as well as in professionalism and ethics in practice.  A Board Certified attorney exhibits distinctive knowledge and specialized skills in the indicated practice area, and The Florida Bar points out that certification allows potential clients and consumers of legal services to identify specialists in a particular type of law, or practice area. 

Board Certified attorneys must pursue specific continuing legal education to remain up-to-date on the latest developments in their specific field of law, and they must be re-certified by The Florida Bar every five years.  Minimum requirements for an attorney practicing law in the State of Florida to achieve the honor of Board Certification include:

  • At least five years of legal practice;
  • Significant involvement in the indicated practice area;
  • An adequate grade on The Florida Bar’s rigorous Certification exam;
  • A peer review indicating superior knowledge in the particular field of law, a high standard of ethics, as well as legal proficiency; and
  • Completion of any ongoing legal education needed for the specific field of law.

 

The Farr Law Firm is proud to have five Board Certified attorneys in the areas of Wills, Trusts and Estates; Real Estate; Marital and Family Law; and Elder Law.  Guy S. Emerich has been Board Certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates since 1988; Jack O. Hackett II since 1989 and Gary A. Kahle since 1990 are both Board Certified in Real Estate law; Charles T. Boyle is the only practicing Board Certified  Marital and Family Law attorney in Charlotte County; and Jennifer R. Howell is the only Board Certified Elder Law attorney in Charlotte County.

"We strive for excellence and encourage our attorneys to become board certified. Board certification demonstrates specialized knowledge and expertise."

Jennifer R. Howell, Esq.
Director
Florida Bar Board Certified Attorney in Elder Law
 Board   

 

Mediator Certification

The Florida Supreme Court certifies a select group of attorneys practicing law in the State of Florida as “Certified Mediators.”  To become a “Certified Mediator” the attorney must maintain the highest level of moral character.  Other prerequisites include completion of the Florida Supreme Court’s mediation training program; a sufficient level of legal education; membership in The Florida Bar; and mediator mentorship.  The mentorship component entails observation of the mediation process, as well as supervised mediation in which the potential mediator contributes significantly to the successful resolution of a case.  Once an attorney is certified, he or she must keep up with continuing mediation education specific to the certification area. 

We at the Farr Law Firm understand the potential benefits of alternate dispute resolution, and we are proud to offer our clients the training and experience of Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediators to provide skilled and experienced conflict resolution.  David A. Holmes and Charles T. Boyle are both Board Certified Mediators.

 

Martindale-Hubbell Ratings

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rating is a nationally recognized meter of an attorney’s professional expertise and ethical standards.  The ratings take into account an attorney’s level of experience, ethical standards, practice areas, reputation among colleagues, and other relevant qualifications.  For an attorney to receive a Martindale-Hubbell rating, he or she must first be granted a “Very High” General Ethical Standards Rating, as indicated by the “V” present in all of the ratings.  Three different ratings exist:

  • AV Peer Review Rating is the highest rating an attorney can receive, and can only be awarded to attorneys with ten or more years of experience.  This mark is given to attorneys held in the highest esteem among the legal community.
  • BV Peer Review Rating is the highest rating an attorney can receive if he or she has been admitted to the bar within five to nine years.  This mark signifies an experienced attorney with superior legal ability.
  • CV Peer Review Rating is the highest rating an attorney can receive if he or she has been admitted to the bar within four years.  This mark indicates advanced legal ability and the highest standard of ethics.

 

Farr, Farr, Emerich, Hackett & Carr, P.A. offers its clientele the expert legal counsel of seven AV rated attorneys and four BV rated attorneys.

 

 

If the Farr Law Firm can be of service to you or your business endeavor, please feel free to contact the firm to schedule an appointment at (941) 639-1158 (Punta Gorda office) or (941) 460-9334 (Englewood office). It is our honor to serve you.