Certifications
Board Certification:
Selecting a Lawyer Specializing in Marital & Family Law
Matthew S. Nugent is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law. While many lawyers may handle marital and family law matters at various levels, only those who have met the requirements of Board Certification are allowed to identify themselves as a “specialist.”
Certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the areas of law approved for certification by the state Supreme Court. Every lawyer certified in marital and family law has practiced law on a full-time basis for at least five years and been substantially involved – 30 percent or more – in the practice of marital and family law during the five years immediately preceding application. To be certified, the lawyer must have been involved in at least 25 contested marital and family law cases during the five years immediately preceding application. Additionally, each certified lawyer must have received favorable confidential peer review, completed 50 hours or more of continuing legal education within the three years immediately preceding application and passed a rigorous written examination demonstrating sufficient knowledge, skills and proficiency in the field of marital and family law to justify the representation of special competence.
Fellow of The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Matthew S. Nugent is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the most prestigious matrimonial bar organization in the country. In order to become a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be recognized by the bench and bar in his or her jurisdiction as an expert practitioner in matrimonial law.
- Admitted to bar 10 years, 75 percent specialization in matrimonial law, but subject to exception in certain geographic areas and other exceptional circumstances.
- Have state family law certification if it exists. Where it doesn’t exist, must have completed 15 hours of continuing legal education in each of previous five years.
- Pass oral or written examination on wide- ranging issues pertaining to matrimonial and family law.
- Be interviewed by a state board of examiners as well as be passed upon by other matrimoniallaw practitioners in the state.
- Aspire to the ethical standards set forth in the “Bounds of Advocacy” as well as state bar rules of professional conduct.
- Demonstrate involvement in study or improvement of matrimonial law, such as publishing articles or continuing education presentations.