how to be a certified matrimonial attorney in new jersey

The New Jersey Supreme Court has strict criteria for an attorney to become certified, including: Taking and passing a written examination in matrimonial law Fulfilling ongoing, continuing legal education requirements Being a member in good standing of the New Jersey Bar for more than five years

Full Answer

What is a certified matrimonial lawyer in New Jersey?

A: A certified attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. Here in New Jersey, matrimonial lawyers who are certified by the Supreme Court must demonstrate an abiding emphasis on family and matrimonial law, including such difficult subjects as high net worth divorces, complex child custody disputes, military divorce, and parental alienation. Simply put, Certified New Jersey Matrimonial Lawyers are the experts. A certified attorney must: 1 Fulfill ongoing continuing legal education requirements 2 Demonstrate a high level of experience in matrimonial law 3 Garner favorable evaluations by other attorneys and judges 4 Pass a lengthy written examination in matrimonial law

What is a certified attorney in New Jersey?

A: A certified attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. Here in New Jersey, matrimonial lawyers who are certified by the Supreme Court must demonstrate an abiding emphasis on family and matrimonial law, including such difficult subjects as high net worth divorces, complex child custody disputes, ...

Becoming a Certified Matrimonial Attorney

The requirements for becoming a Certified Matrimonial Attorney include:

The Personal Touch and Professional Representation

The New Jersey family law and divorce lawyers at Lyons & Associates live by the mantra of “Your Lighthouse in the Storm.” That means that we understand you are going through a deeply personal experience – one that is rife with mixed emotions and uncertainty.

Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney Credentials

To help demystify this important decision-making process, the State of New Jersey has implemented a certification program aimed at recognizing its most talented and competent matrimonial law attorneys.

Are All Divorce Lawyers Automatically Certified Matrimonial Law Attorneys?

The short answer to this is ‘no’. Villani & DeLuca’s family law partner, Vincent DeLuca, Esq., represents one of less than three percent of practicing attorneys who are currently certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Matrimonial Law Attorneys. In fact, only 158 (0.002%) of the state’s attorneys are Certified Matrimonial Attorneys.

Vincent DeLuca is a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney

Villani & DeLuca partner, Vincent C.

What is a certified matrimonial lawyer in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Supreme Court offers an official designation known as a New Jersey Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney for those lawyers who have exhibited a clear skill set in the areas of matrimonial and family law. This is one way for you to ensure that you are working directly with a New Jersey matrimonial attorney who has extensive experience in the field and is committed to obtaining the highest possible standards in client care. Matrimonial attorneys in New Jersey, as classified by the New Jersey Supreme Court, have extensive knowledge in many different practice issues, including post judgement relief, divorce, child support, child custody, alimony, mediation, adoption, alternative dispute resolution, domestic violence, prenuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, domestic partnerships, and more. The certification process to become an official matrimonial lawyer in the state of New Jersey is complicated, meaning that many New Jersey matrimonial lawyers do not obtain or remain with these credentials every single year. Choosing an experienced matrimonial lawyer in New Jersey can be difficult if you do not have a clear referral from someone you already know.

What are the specialties of New Jersey?

There are five specialty areas of practice that are approved for certification by the Supreme Court of New Jersey: civil trial law, criminal trial law, matrimonial law, workers’ compensation law, and municipal court law.

Mission and History

In 1980, the Supreme Court of New Jersey authorized the Board on Attorney Certification to administrate the state's program for certifying lawyers. The Board on Attorney Certification is responsible for administering the program and making rules for certification.

Board Certified New Jersey Lawyers Active on Lawyer Legion

Lawyer Legion maintains a statewide directory of board certified lawyers in New Jersey. The public is able to browse the directory and narrow their search by specialty area, county or city to and connect with board certified lawyers to help with their case.

Rule 1:39 on Specialty Certification Of Attorneys

An attorney of the State of New Jersey may be certified as a civil trial attorney, a criminal trial attorney, a matrimonial law attorney, a workers’ compensation law...

NJ Supreme Court Approves Trial Certification for Municipal Court Attorneys

The New Jersey Supreme Court has authorized trial certification in the area of municipal court practice. The new trial certification became available on September 1, 2011. Amendment to the rules and regulations that implement this change begin on page 9 of the Appendix. Read more at Notice of Certification for Municipal Court Trial Law.

Additional Resources

Sources of Certification in New Jersey - Visit the website of the American Bar Association to find a current list of lawyer specialty certification programs and a summary description of the offerings of each program.

Finding a Board Certified Attorney in New Jersey

The website for the New Jersey Courts maintains a list of certified attorneys for each practice area. The board certified attorneys are listed in alphabetical order. Only the attorney's name, the name of the firm and the attorney's phone number are listed.

What is a Certified Matrimonial Attorney?

Many attorneys are competent in a variety of practice areas but are not proficient in any specific area. This is due to the fact that the field of law is very broad, and it would be nearly impossible to know everything there is to know about every aspect of the law.

Benefits of a Certified Attorney

Attorney certification encourages a level of professionalism in the practice of law. Certification is important for a number of reasons. It tells you, the client, that the attorney has a positive reputation not only among other lawyers but judges as well.

Vincent DeLuca of Villani & DeLuca is a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney

Attorney Vincent R. DeLuca, Esq. has been practicing law for over twenty years, and is qualified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney.