The specialty field of civil trial law is the practice of law dealing with the representation of parties before federal and state courts in non-criminal matters.



---

 

You are eligible to be an MSBA Certified Civil Trial Law Specialist if you have been admitted to the practice of law continuously for at least five years and 50% of your full-time practice is in active participation in civil trial law.

Combine these qualifications with your high ethical standards, excellent peer reviews, specialized legal education, tested knowledge, and evidence of the basic experience requirements listed below to achieve the honorable distinction of Certified Specialist. Your experience will be measured by meeting the following experience requirements:

• Two (2) Jury Trials, involving live testimony and lasting at least two (2) full days
• Ten (10) additional Trial Units; jury trials counting for two (2) units and court trials counting as one (1) unit.
• Seventy-Five (75) Experience Units, including jury trials, court trials, and contested matters such as arbitrations, administrative hearings, evidentiary hearings, depositions, and pre and post-trial motions.



---

Exam Information

---

---

Civil Trial Board

Scott M. Rusert, Chair
Valerie Sims, Vice Chair
Stephanie Angolkar
Sara Nachtman
Brett W. Olander
Daniel B. O'Leary
Charles Slane
Janet G. Stellpflug
R. Stephen Tillitt