Hoosier conference attendees include, Rhea Kirk, J.J. Paul, III, Joy Tolbert, Julia Orzeske, Susan Gainey, C. Daniel Motsinger, Barbara Bichelmeyer

Seven people with Hoosier connections recently attended the American Bar Association 2009 National Roundtable on Lawyer Specialty Certification in Savannah, Georgia.  The event is an annual gathering of those who are interested in attorney specialization.  Most of the seven have connections to the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education.  The Commission provides accreditation and regulation for attorney specialization programs. 

Julia Orzeske, Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education Executive Director attended the conference and was particularly proud of the strong Indiana presence.  Orzesky explained, “Specialization is a rapidly growing field in Indiana.  The number of specialists has doubled in the last five years.  In 2008, the number grew 6% from the previous year, even in a slowing economy.” 

In addition to Orzezke, the following attorneys attended the conference: Rhea C. Kirk, Executive Director National College for DUI Defense; J. J. Paul, III, Voyles Zahn Paul Hogan and Merriman; Joy Tolbert, Attorney for Specialization, Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education; Susan Gainey, Kightlinger and Gray, Past Chair and member of Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education Committee on Specialization; C. Daniel Motsinger, Krieg DeVault, and Treasurer of the American Board of Certification; Barbara Bichelmeyer, PhD, Professor Indiana University, Chair of Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education Committee on Specialization.

The group attended educational and professional development on topics such as running a certification program, creating valid and reliable specialty tests, partnering to improve specialization, and conducting effective peer reviews.    

There are currently 253 attorneys with specialty certifications in Indiana.  The state has had a specialization program since 1998.  The areas recognized as specialty areas in Indiana include:

• Civil Trial Advocacy (40 specialists)
• Criminal Trial Advocacy (3 specialists)
• Elder Law (15 specialists)
• Consumer Bankruptcy (12 specialists)
• Business Bankruptcy (23 specialists)
• Creditors’ Rights (6 specialists)
• Family Law (62 specialists)
• Estate Planning and Administration (100 specialists)

Attorney specialization is just one area of focus for the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education.  The Commission provides regulation and accreditation for education coursework.  By administering, developing and regulating continuing legal education requirements, mediation training standards and attorney specialization programs the Commission works to enhance the quality of legal services and professionalism in Indiana. The Indiana Supreme Court oversees the Commission.