The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) was established on July 16, 1974, by the State Bar of Texas. TBLS oversees the recognition and regulation of attorneys who specialize in particular areas of law in the state of Texas. Today, the organization certifies attorneys in 24 different specialty areas and paralegals in six specialty areas.Texas Plan for Recognition and Regulations of Specialization in the Law, Supreme Court of Texas, September 2010Professionalism and Legal Specialization Twenty Years of the Texas Lawyer's Creed, Gary McNeil, Texas Bar Journal, November 2009Texas Paralegal Standards, State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division
Purpose The TBLS' purpose is to advance the standards of the legal profession and support the availability, accessibility and quality of services provided by Texas attorneys to the public in selected areas of law.Attorney Board Certification Increasing as Needs Grow , Leslie Wimmer, Fort Worth Business Press, August 31, 2009
Governance The TBLS is overseen by twelve members who are appointed by the President of the State Bar of Texas and approved by its Board of Directors. It has authority over all matters relating legal specialization in Texas and is subject to ongoing jurisdiction by the Supreme Court of Texas.About Us, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Specialty areas The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys in the following selected areas of Texas law:Bar-Related Entities, State Bar of TexasState Sponsored Certification Plans, American Bar Association Administrative Bankruptcy – Business and consumer Civil appellate Civil trial Consumer and commercial Criminal Estate planning and probate Family Health Immigration and nationality Juvenile Labor and employment Oil, gas, and mineral Personal injury trial Real estate – commercial, farm & ranch, property owners association, residential Tax Workers' compensation Criminal appellate Child welfare Construction
See also State Bar of Texas American Bar Association Texas Supreme Court Professional certification National Board of Legal Specialty Certification Attorneys in the United States
References
External links Texas Board of Legal Specialization State Bar of Texas Supreme Court of Texas