The Minnesota Supreme Court created the Minnesota Board of Legal Certification to approve and oversee organizations that certify legal specialists. The Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) has been approved as an independent professional organization for certifying attorneys as Civil Trial Specialists.Only a certified attorney can hold himself/herself out as a Civil Trial Specialist.
Candidates for MSBA certification must have high ethical standards, provide evidence of experience level and continuing legal education in the area of civil trial law, provide positive references from lawyers and judges, pass a written examination, be audited every year, and be recertified every six years. 335 attorneys have been certified as MSBA Civil Trial Specialists.
A consumer of legal services who chooses an MSBA Certified Civil Trial Specialist can be sure of obtaining an attorney that has participated in the preparation and trial of significant civil cases, is familiar with settlement negotiations, and that has demonstrated substantial knowledge of the law involved in civil cases. Stephen Gabrielson earned the distinction of MSBA certification in 1992.
