After an accident, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing the right lawyer. As you compare firms, read reviews, and evaluate potential Houston personal injury lawyers, it can be difficult to tell which attorneys truly stand out.
One credential that deserves a closer look is board certification. Unlike marketing awards or paid directory listings, board certification requires attorneys to meet rigorous standards in a specific area of law.
Joe Stephens is one of only ten lawyers in Texas who hold dual board certification in personal injury law. He has earned certification from both the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy, reflecting qualifications that have been evaluated at both the state and national levels.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Board certification is an earned credential that requires substantial experience, peer review, continuing legal education, and a rigorous examination process.
- Joe Stephens holds dual board certification through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
- Board-certified attorneys have demonstrated significant trial experience and professional credibility.
What Does Board Certification Mean for a Texas Lawyer?
When you’re comparing lawyers, you may come across the term “board certified.” But what does that actually mean?
Board certification is a credential that recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated substantial experience and knowledge in a specific area of law. In Texas, board certification is overseen by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS), an organization created by the Texas Supreme Court.
Lawyers cannot simply call themselves board-certified. To earn this distinction, they must meet strict requirements, demonstrate significant experience in their field, pass an exam, complete ongoing legal education, and receive favorable reviews from judges and fellow attorneys.
Some lawyers also pursue certification through the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), which evaluates attorneys on a national level. These credentials help people identify lawyers who have gone beyond the minimum requirements to practice law.
How Rare Is Board Certification in Texas?
Board certification is far less common than many people realize. According to the TBLS, only a small percentage of attorneys licensed to practice in Texas have earned board certification in any specialty area.
Because board certification is not based on advertising, popularity, or years in practice alone, it can serve as an objective credential for evaluating an attorney’s qualifications. To earn certification, attorneys must meet strict standards related to experience, legal knowledge, continuing education, examination, and peer review.
Joe Stephens belongs to a very small group of Texas attorneys who have earned board certification at both the state and national levels. For injury victims, that means their case is being handled by a lawyer whose qualifications have been reviewed by independent certifying organizations and whose credentials are held by relatively few Texas attorneys.
What Are the Advantages of Hiring a Board-Certified Personal Injury Lawyer?
Demonstrated Trial Experience
Peer-Reviewed Credibility
Insurance Companies Take Notice
Insurance companies pay attention to the lawyer representing an injured person. Joe Stephens has spent decades negotiating and trying cases across Texas, building a reputation that many insurance companies recognize by name. While no lawyer can guarantee an outcome, experience and credibility can influence how seriously a claim is evaluated.
A Higher Standard of Representation
Board certification gives consumers an objective credential to consider when comparing attorneys. While many lawyers advertise personal injury services, relatively few have earned board certification, and even fewer hold dual certifications. Not all credentials carry the same weight, which is why it’s important to understand what goes into earning them.
Board Certification Is Only Part of the Story
Not all law firms operate the same. Many heavily advertised firms do not have board-certified attorneys, and at some high-volume firms, cases are often passed from the attorney you initially meet to associates or staff members. That’s why it’s important to look beyond commercials and billboards and understand who will actually be handling your case
What sets Joe Stephens apart?
- Joe personally handles every case from start to finish.
- Joe limits the number of cases he accepts so clients receive personalized attention.
- Joe has more than 40 years of experience handling accident and injury cases across Texas.
- Joe has earned board certification from both the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
These details may not appear in a billboard or television commercial, but they can matter when deciding who will handle your case and whether that lawyer is prepared to take it to trial.
JOE STEPHENS | FOUNDER
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Joe Stephens is here to listen, guide you, and fight for the full compensation you need to move forward with your life.
How Board Certification Affects Your Case Outcome
Board certification does not guarantee a particular result. It does, however, reflect the type of experience many clients look for when hiring a lawyer. From developing a case strategy to preparing for trial, courtroom proficiency can influence decisions throughout the legal process. When a case cannot be resolved fairly through negotiations, that trial background becomes especially important.
Throughout his career, Joe Stephens has secured significant results for injured Texans and their families:
- A $9.6 million verdict for the family of two men who were killed when a tractor-trailer crossed into oncoming traffic on Highway 290
- A $3.75 million verdict for the parents of a man who was intentionally struck and killed in a highly publicized Houston wrongful death case
- A $6.56 million verdict against property managers who failed to provide adequate security despite a history of violent crime on the premises
Work With a Double Board-Certified Houston Personal Injury Lawyer
After a serious accident, choosing the right lawyer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The attorney’s experience, qualifications, and willingness to take a case to trial can all make a difference.
Joe Stephens is one of only approximately ten lawyers in Texas who hold dual board certification in personal injury law. Throughout his career, he has represented injured Texans and tried more than 150 cases. When you hire Joe, your case will be handled directly by him from start to finish.
If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, contact Joe and The Stephens Law Firm for a free consultation. As a small firm, Joe provides the personalized representation many larger firms simply cannot offer. There are no legal fees unless Joe wins your case.
Call (281) 201-0035 or contact us online to discuss your legal options.
