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c:["$","p",null,{"children":"This is one of the most distinctive features of board certification. The applicant must provide references from at least five qualified attorneys, including both judges and opposing counsel, who can attest to the applicant's competence, professionalism, and reputation in the specialty area. TBLS contacts these references directly and evaluates their responses."}]
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11:["$","p",null,{"children":"Earning board certification is only the beginning. The credential is valid for five years, after which the attorney must go through a formal recertification process. Recertification requires the attorney to demonstrate continued substantial involvement in the specialty area and complete 100 hours of approved specialty CLE during the five-year cycle."}]
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14:["$","p",null,{"children":"Under the rules of the State Bar of Texas, only board certified attorneys are permitted to publicly represent themselves as \"specialists\" or \"experts\" in a specific area of law. Any attorney can say they \"handle\" certain types of cases or \"focus on\" a particular area. But the terms \"specialist,\" \"expert,\" and \"board certified\" are reserved exclusively for attorneys who have earned the TBLS credential."}]
15:["$","p",null,{"children":"This matters because it gives the public a clear, enforceable standard. When you see \"Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization,\" you know that title has been earned through a defined, verifiable process — not simply claimed."}]
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17:["$","section",null,{"className":"section-padding bg-slate-50","children":["$","div",null,{"className":"container-prose","children":["$","div",null,{"className":"bg-white p-8 md:p-10 rounded-lg shadow-sm border border-slate-200","children":[["$","h2",null,{"className":"text-primary mt-0 mb-6 text-center","children":"What Board Certification Is Not"}],["$","p",null,{"className":"text-secondary text-lg mb-8 text-center max-w-2xl mx-auto","children":"It is important to be clear about what board certification does not mean:"}],["$","ul",null,{"className":"space-y-6 list-none pl-0","children":[["$","li",null,{"className":"flex items-start","children":[["$","svg",null,{"className":"w-6 h-6 text-accent mt-1 mr-4 flex-shrink-0","fill":"none","viewBox":"0 0 24 24","stroke":"currentColor","children":["$","path",null,{"strokeLinecap":"round","strokeLinejoin":"round","strokeWidth":2,"d":"M12 9v2m0 4h.01m-6.938 4h13.856c1.54 0 2.502-1.667 1.732-3L13.732 4c-.77-1.333-2.694-1.333-3.464 0L3.34 16c-.77 1.333.192 3 1.732 3z"}]}],["$","div",null,{"children":[["$","strong",null,{"className":"text-primary block text-lg mb-1","children":"It does not mean that non-certified attorneys are unqualified."}],["$","span",null,{"className":"text-secondary","children":"Many excellent lawyers have never pursued board certification. The credential is voluntary, and some highly skilled attorneys choose not to seek it for a variety of reasons."}]]}]]}],["$","li",null,{"className":"flex items-start","children":[["$","svg",null,{"className":"w-6 h-6 text-accent mt-1 mr-4 flex-shrink-0","fill":"none","viewBox":"0 0 24 24","stroke":"currentColor","children":["$","path",null,{"strokeLinecap":"round","strokeLinejoin":"round","strokeWidth":2,"d":"M12 9v2m0 4h.01m-6.938 4h13.856c1.54 0 2.502-1.667 1.732-3L13.732 4c-.77-1.333-2.694-1.333-3.464 0L3.34 16c-.77 1.333.192 3 1.732 3z"}]}],["$","div",null,{"children":[["$","strong",null,{"className":"text-primary block text-lg mb-1","children":"It does not guarantee a particular result."}],["$","span",null,{"className":"text-secondary","children":"No credential can promise the outcome of a legal matter. Board certification indicates that an attorney has met specific professional standards, but every case depends on its own facts and circumstances."}]]}]]}],["$","li",null,{"className":"flex items-start","children":[["$","svg",null,{"className":"w-6 h-6 text-accent mt-1 mr-4 flex-shrink-0","fill":"none","viewBox":"0 0 24 24","stroke":"currentColor","children":["$","path",null,{"strokeLinecap":"round","strokeLinejoin":"round","strokeWidth":2,"d":"M12 9v2m0 4h.01m-6.938 4h13.856c1.54 0 2.502-1.667 1.732-3L13.732 4c-.77-1.333-2.694-1.333-3.464 0L3.34 16c-.77 1.333.192 3 1.732 3z"}]}],["$","div",null,{"children":[["$","strong",null,{"className":"text-primary block text-lg mb-1","children":"It is not a paid award or a marketing product."}],["$","span",null,{"className":"text-secondary","children":"Unlike many \"top lawyer\" lists and ratings that attorneys can pay to appear on, board certification is earned through an independent evaluation process administered by a body established by the Texas Supreme Court."}]]}]]}]]}],["$","p",null,{"className":"mt-8 pt-6 border-t border-slate-100 text-secondary text-lg italic text-center","children":"Board certification is one meaningful credential among others. It is a valuable tool for consumers who want an objective way to evaluate an attorney's qualifications — especially when the stakes are high."}]]}]}]}]
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