HOW DOES A LAWYER GET CERTIFIED AS A SPECIALIST?

All attorneys licensed to practice law in Ohio must have graduated from an accredited law school, passed an intensive examination, and attended continuing legal education courses as required by the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Ohio attorneys who are certified as specialists by the OSBA must take and pass a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrate a high level of substantial involvement in the specialty area, fulfill ongoing education requirements and be favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.

MIKE GRUHIN "THE COMP SPECIALIST" IS A BOARD CERTIFIED WORKERS' COMPENSATION SPECIALIST

Why pay the same percentage fee for the services of
an attorney who isn't a Board Certified Specialist?

 That just doesn't make sense!

The Ohio State Bar Association "Specialization Program" was created to give licensed Ohio attorneys the ability to become certified as specialists in particular areas of law. The Ohio State Bar Association is proud to be accredited by the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists (CCAS). Accreditation means the CCAS has evaluated our programs and recognizes that they meet certain minimum standards established by the commission & required by the Ohio Supreme Court under rule XIV.

OSBA certification is a voluntary process that requires a commitment to excellence

Gruhin & Gruhin is Committed to Providing Legal Excellence to its Clients!

So, who might choose to become Board Certified as an Attorney Specialist ?

Attorneys who devote a large part of their practice to a particular area of the law may choose to go beyond these requirements to earn specialty certification. This means that they have:

1) demonstrated substantial and continuing involvement in a particular field of law, (meaning they must devote at least 25% of their practice to an area of law);

2) submitted five individual references attesting to their competency in the specialty field;

3) taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field

4) taken classes to earn a minimum of 36 hours of intermediate or advanced continuing legal education credits in the specialty area during the past three years in addition to the continuing legal education credits required of non-specialist attorneys;

5 ) remained in good standing with the Supreme Court of Ohio; proven financial responsibility by maintaining a special limit of professional liability insurance coverage.

Does The Certification Last Forever?

Attorneys who have earned specialty certification must be re-certified at least every seven years and must earn a minimum of 12 continuing legal education credits in the specialty area every two years by taking Advanced Level Ohio Workers' Compensation Continuing Education Classes. Specialists keep up with the changing Ohio BWC laws.

Who certifies attorneys as specialist?

The Supreme Court of Ohio established a Commission on certification of Attorneys as Specialists. This Commission is The Ohio State Bar Association Law Specialty Board and it is the largest certifying agency in Ohio.

How do I know if an attorney is a certified specialist?

Mike Gruhin is a Board Certified Specialist. Look for the special designation that reads "certified by the Ohio State Bar Association" on business cards, letterhead, of in advertising. You should also ask any attorneys you contact if he/she is a ertified specialist in the area of law in which they practice.