Partner, Paul M. da Costa, Re-Appointed to the New Jersey Supreme Court Civil Trial Certification Committee and Appointed to the New Jersey Supreme Court Board on Attorney Certification

The Supreme Court of New Jersey has re-appointed Partner, Paul M. da Costa, to the Civil Trial Certification Committee as a member and Chair of the Committee. He will serve another three-year term concluding on December 31, 2027. Paul has also been appointed to the Supreme Court of New Jersey Board on Attorney Certification.

The New Jersey Supreme Court established the Board on Attorney Certification in 1980 to help consumers find an attorney with specialized competence in a particular area of law. The Board designates lawyers from New Jersey as “Certified Attorneys” if they demonstrate sufficient levels of experience, education, knowledge, and skill in one of five areas of law. More information is available regarding the selection criteria on the NJ Supreme Court website.

As a member and Chair of the Civil Certification Committee, Paul will contribute to the evaluation of applicants seeking certification as a civil trial attorney. He will be involved with the creation and grading of exams administered by the Committee as part of the certification process. These exams are determining factors in whether an attorney becomes certified.

The New Jersey Supreme Court Board on Attorney Certification administers the certification program in this state. . In addition, there are five certification committees. They are responsible for reviewing certification applications and for creating and grading the certification examinations. Each committee reports its eligibility findings to the Board for its report to the Supreme Court.

The Board is responsible for the operation of the certification program, including financial, policy, and rule-making functions. The Board also acts as an appellate arm when an aggrieved attorney appeals a decision made by a certification committee.