Nearly 200 lawyers earned 2015 earned Florida Bar board certification, a designation that places them among the only group of Florida lawyers who may use the terms “specialist” and “expert” when referring to their legal credentials.
Civil trial law, one of the original available Florida Bar board certifications, had the most newly certified lawyers in 2015, with 37 attorneys earning the designation. Construction law was next with 23 attorneys attaining certification and 22 in criminal trial law.
Board certification is valid for five years. During that time, attorneys must continue to practice law and attend Florida Bar-approved continuing legal education courses.
Northeast Florida lawyers who earned board certification are:
Appellate practice
• Kansas R. Gooden, Jacksonville
• Cristine Marie Russell, Jacksonville
Business litigation
• Michael R. Freed, Jacksonville
• Scott Jonathan Kennelly, Jacksonville
• Joel Settembrini, Jacksonville
City, county and local government law
• Regina D. Ross, St. Augustine
Civil trial law
• Robert L. McLeod II, St. Augustine
• Curry Gary Pajcic, Jacksonville
• Matthew Todd Roach, Jacksonville
• Ashleigh Jennifer Smith, Jacksonville
• Matthew Willis Sowell, Jacksonville
Elder law
• R. Kellen Bryant, Jacksonville
Real estate law
• Brenda B. Ezell, Jacksonville
• William Christopher Rabil, Jacksonville