Brent Burks and Jay Kennamer, partners at McMahan Law Firm in Downtown Chattanooga, have achieved recertification as civil trial specialists. "They are a part of a small number of attorneys that have demonstrated expertise and substantial involvement in their specialty area of certification," officials said.
In order to become board certified as a civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, an attorney must be identified as someone who “possesses an enhanced level of skill and expertise in trial advocacy, and has demonstrated integrity and dedication to the interests of their clients, thereby improving the professional competence of lawyers.” The NBTA determines if an applicant is qualified for certification through peer reviews, educational requirements, written exams, and ethical behavior and experience. In order to remain certified, the civil trial advocate must satisfy recertification requirements every five years. This dedication to re-certify demonstrates a continued, active trial practice. These standards are designed to enable the NBTA to thoroughly evaluate the objectives, standards, and procedures of its attorneys, and they also allow them to assist the public with gaining access to proper legal services.
Mr. Kennamer said, “Just like those seeking medical assistance are unlikely to have confidence in uncertified physicians, those seeking legal assistance should not merely rely on word of mouth referrals or advertisements without knowing an attorney’s qualifications. An NBTA board certification is the best way for consumers to verify that the lawyer they are selecting is qualified for the services they require.”
According to the American Bar Association, fewer than 4% of all practicing lawyers are certified specialists in their field, and there are currently approximately only 2,000 lawyers that have been board certified as civil trial specialists in the United States – leaving it safe to say that the civil trial specialist certification is reserved for the well-seasoned and well-practiced attorney.
“We are proud to be among the practicing lawyers to renew our certification as civil trial specialists,” said Mr. Burks. “Through rigorous practice, hard work, and demonstrated integrity, we have shown a continued dedication to our clients that goes unmatched. Through this certification, we will continue our long-standing commitment to not only our clients, but to the law as well.”
"There are many advantages to having a board certified civil trial specialist handle injury or accident claims. An attorney plays a vital role in resolving conflict and protecting a client’s future stability. It is important to understand the qualifications and expertise of the attorney to entrust with a personal injury case, because not all attorneys can claim the credentials of being NBTA board certified," officials said.
Mr. Burks graduated with his bachelor of science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1991 and went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee Knoxville School of Law with his juris doctor in 1994. He is a member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has been a licensed attorney in Tennessee since 1994, and has worked at the McMahan Law Firm since 1997, where he specializes in auto accident, products liability, medical negligence, and workers’ compensation cases.
Mr. Kennamar graduated with his bachelor in science from the University of Alabama in 1989. He went on to graduate from Samford University Cumberland School of Law with his juris doctor in 1992, and received his master of laws, taxation from Emory University in 1993. He is a member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He joined the McMahan Law Firm in 2000, where he specializes in auto accident, tractor-trailer accident, workers’ compensation, Social Security, product liability, torts and class action cases. He also lectures on the topics of personal injury, subrogation, and workers’ compensation. Mr. Kennamar earned the Peer Review rating by Martindale-Hubbell, which is earned through a process that is managed and monitored by Martindale-Hubbell.