In Minnesota, the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) is one of two certifying agencies in the specialty area of Civil Trial Advocacy, the other being the Minnesota State Bar Association. Only a certified attorney can hold himself/herself out as a Civil Trial Specialist.
Candidates for NBTA certification must meet rigorous standards for certification, including proof of good standing, concentration in the specialty of trial advocacy, continuing legal education, judicial and attorney peer review, substantial trial and other litigation experience, and written examination. In Minnesota, fewer than 150 attorneys have earned NBTA certification as a Civil Trial Specialist. This represents fewer than 1% of attorneys licensed to practice law in Minnesota.
A consumer of legal services who chooses an NBTA member can be sure of obtaining a highly experienced trial law practitioner. Stephen Gabrielson earned the distinction of NBTA certification in 1997.
