Barry S. Balmuth

Though these may seem like two extremely different types of cases, the areas I practice in, eminent domain, Fair Credit Reporting Act and consumer protection litigation, business/commercial litigation, employment/civil rights, personal injury and wrongful death, and bankruptcy litigation have at least one thing in common – if not settled, all of these types of cases will be decided by a trial, often a jury trial. While many lawyers describe themselves as justice lawyers, trial lawyers, or litigators or use similar terms meant to suggest that they have some special competence trying a case, just over 1,000 of the more than 100,000 lawyers in Florida, or about 1 percent, are board certified by the Florida Bar, which regulates the practice of law in Florida, as specialists in civil trials.  Less than 250 are board certified as specialists in business litigation law and a very small number of lawyers are board certified as specialists in both areas.  In fact, I am one of just three lawyers who are board certified by the Florida Bar in both Civil Trial Law and Business Litigation Law with offices in northern Palm Beach County. The requirements to become board certified are stringent and include passing an examination and obtaining positive confidential reviews from other lawyers and judges.  To be board certified, a lawyer must also have handled a certain number of the types of matters he or she is seeking to be certified in.  By example, to become a board certified civil trial lawyer, one must have a certain number of trials including jury trials and trials as lead counsel.   We invite you to watch our videos: what does it mean for an attorney to be Board Certified in Civil Trial Law? and what does it mean for an attorney to be Board Certified in Business Litigation Law? In addition to being board certified, I am rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell, the leading rating service for lawyers.  AV is Martindale’s highest rating for legal ability, indicating such ability is “very high to preeminent,” and ethics.  Please watch our video: what does an AV rating mean?  Additionally, more information on Martindale-Hubbell’s ratings can be found at Martindale.com. I was also selected many times by a blue ribbon panel for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyer magazine, an honor bestowed on less than 5 percent of lawyers.  More information on the selection process for Super Lawyers magazine can be found at this link: Super Lawyers.  Additionally, our Super Lawyers profile can be found at: Florida Super Lawyer Barry S. Balmuth.  Also, we invite you to watch our video: what is Florida Super Lawyers.