Firm Overview > Board Certification
Attorney Representation in Houston, Texas since 1992
What is a Criminal Law Board Certified Attorney?
Board certification is a distinction held by less than 10% of all attorneys licensed in the State of Texas. The consumer can identify a Criminal Law Board Certified attorney in one of many ways. A Criminal Law Board Certified attorney is entitled to indicate certification on business cards and letterhead by stating "Board Certified - Criminal Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization." The attorney may also display the Certificate of Special Competence awarded by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and list the certification in legal directories and telephone listings under "Attorneys - Board Certified." Initial certification is valid for a period of five years. To remain certified, an attorney must apply for recertification every five years and meet practice, peer review and continuing legal education requirements for the specialty field. An attorney who is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law must have experience in the preparation and trial of serious criminal matters. The attorney must also have extensive knowledge of state and federal constitutional law, evidence, procedure and penal laws involved in the trial of these matters. A relatively small percentage of all Texas lawyers are board certified in a particular area of specialization.
To become Board Certified in Criminal Law, an attorney must have:
- Been licensed to practice law for at least five years
- Devoted a required percentage of practice to criminal law for at least three years
- Handled a wide variety of criminal law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement
- Attended criminal law continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date
- Been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges
- Passed a day-long written examination covering state & federal criminal law
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization was created by,
and operates under the authority of, the Supreme Court of
Texas. Its members are appointed by the President of the
State Bar of Texas. The Board administers the program by
which an attorney may earn a certificate of special competence
in a particular field of law. The program 
is voluntary and
is funded entirely by fees imposed on participating attorneys.
Houston criminal attorney Tad Nelson has been a board certified criminal defense attorney since December 1996 when he first passed his board certification exam. Tad Nelson was recertified in 2001 and 2006. Tad remains committed to upholding the standards and guidelines set forth by the board.
For more information please write to:
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
P.O. Box 12487
Austin, Texas 78711-2487
Or visit their website:
http://www.tbls.org
Or call:
(512) 463-1454
(800) 204-2222 ext. 1454
Fax: (512) 477-7719
Put a *Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist and
Former Assistant District Attorney in Your Corner — Call (281) 280-0100
Our firm and Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney Tad Nelson provide skilled legal representation and services to people throughout Galveston, Harris, and Brazoria County and the Greater-Houston metro area. If you have been arrested for any criminal activity or need Criminal Law advice — call our League City law offices directly or contact us online today.
Major Credit Cards Accepted
Evening, Weekend, and Off-Site Appointments Available
*The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys in 20 specific areas of law; certification in any of these areas requires substantial demonstrated experience and skill, positive peer evaluations, ongoing legal education commitments, and the passage of a rigorous test.
Practice Areas include:
- DWI
- Drug Crime
- Capital Murder
- Murder
- Probation
- Domestic Violence
- Traffic Tickets
- Theft
- Fraud
- Assault
- Sexual Assault
- Sex Crimes
- Rape
- Weapons Charges
- Weapons
- Aggravated Crimes
- Federal Crimes
- Federal Drug Crimes
- Felonies and Misdemeanors
- Juvenile Crimes
- Expunction
