Accredited Agencies
The Minnesota State Board of Legal Certification accredits agencies to permit them to certify lawyers as specialists in various fields of law.
How to Apply to Become an Accredited Agency
Prospective certifying agencies may apply for accreditation in Minnesota by submitting an application. Applications must comply with each of the Rule requirements (see Rule 112).
Do Accredited Agencies need to Apply for Recertification?
Agencies must submit a Recertification Application every three years (see Rule 116). Agencies must also comply with the reporting requirements described in Rule 113.
Agencies Currently Accredited by the Minnesota Board of Legal Certification
American Board of Certification
66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22314
(877) 365-2221
Contact person: Amy Alcoke Quackenboss
The American Board of Certification (ABC) is a national certifying agency. ABC certifies Minnesota lawyers in three specialty areas: Business Bankruptcy (since 1994), Consumer Bankruptcy (since 1994), and Creditors’ Rights (since 1997).
At the end of 2023, there were 5 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Business Bankruptcy” specialists, 1 Minnesota lawyer certified as a “Consumer Bankruptcy” specialist, and 1 Minnesota lawyer certified as a “Creditors’ Rights” specialist.
International Association of Privacy Professionals
75 Rochester Ave, Suite 4
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 427-9200
Contact person: Kristina Welch
The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) is a national certifying agency. The Board granted IAPP accreditation in the specialty area of Privacy Law in June 2019. At the end of 2023, there were 7 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Privacy Law” specialists.
Minnesota State Bar Association
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 380
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 333-1183
Contact person: Kari White
The Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) is a professional association. MSBA certifies Minnesota lawyers in four specialty areas: Civil Trial Law (since 1987), Criminal Law (since 2009), Real Property (since 1989), and Labor and Employment Law (since 2009).
Under the terms of a cooperative agreement with the National Board of Trail Advocacy (NBTA), the MSBA uses the NBTA’s Civil Trial Practice examination as its test instrument. Lawyers may apply for certification and be tested simultaneously for certification in Civil Trial Law by both agencies.
At the end of 2023, there were 167 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Civil Trial Law” specialists, 50 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Criminal Law” specialists, 247 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Real Property” specialists, and 95 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Labor and Employment Law” specialists.
National Board of Trial Advocacy
850 Franklin Street, Suite 8
Wrentham, MA 02093
(508) 384-6565
Contact person: Gwen Arcangelo
The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) is a national certifying organization. In 1987, it became the first agency approved by the Board to certify specialists in Minnesota. The NBTA is approved by the Board to certify Minnesota lawyers in four specialty areas: Civil Trial Law (since 1987), Criminal Law (since 1987), Family Law Trial Advocacy (since 2001), and Truck Accident Law (since 2019).
At the end of 2023, there were 42 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Civil Trial Law” specialists, 6 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Criminal Law” specialists, 13 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Family Law Trial Advocacy” specialists, and 1 Minnesota lawyer certified as “Truck Accident Law” specialist.
National Elder Law Foundation
6336 N. Oracle Road, Suite 326 #136
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520) 881-1076 ext. 102
Contact person: Meg Hyatt
The National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) is a national certifying organization. In 1997 it was approved to certify specialists in Minnesota in the field of Elder Law. At the end of 2023, there were 4 Minnesota lawyers certified as “Elder Law” specialists.
National Association of Counsel for Children was accredited to certify Minnesota lawyers in the specialty area of Child Welfare Law by the Minnesota Board of Legal Certification in 2015. In 2024, NACC elected not to seek reaccreditation in Minnesota. Lawyers certified through NACC should refer to Rule 7.2 (c)(2) of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct for information on how to communicate certification.