Certified Specialists

Ohio Divorce and Dissolution Lawyers ◦ Certified Specialists

The three founding members of our law firm Douglas Dougherty, James Hanneman and Robert “Chip” Snedaker, are board certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as Certified Specialist, Family Relations Law. They are three of just ninety-nine attorneys (as of January 1, 2008) in the state of Ohio, who have earned the designation of Certified Specialist, Family Relations Law.

Specialists Status

To earn the “specialist certification,” an attorney must pass a rigorous written examination and must meet other strict legal profession requirements. Less than one half of one percent of all family relations attorneys registered in Ohio have achieved this status. Only an attorney who has achieved this status can be called a “certified specialist.”

Specialty Board

Attorneys are certified as specialists by the Ohio State Bar Association Family Relations Law Specialty Board (“Specialty Board.”) The Specialty Board is accredited by the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists. The Specialty Board is primarily composed of individuals recognized as experts in the field of family relations law.

Testing Requirements

To earn specialist status, an attorney must take and pass a special written examination. The specialist examination tests the attorney on multiple aspects of Ohio and Federal family relations law. The exam also covers ethical issues relating to family law. The exam is prepared and graded under the authority of an independent testing service.

Enhanced Education Requirements

In addition to the normal ongoing legal education requirements that all attorneys must meet, family law specialists must meet additional educational requirements. Every two years, family law specialists must complete a minimum of twelve hours of legal education courses dealing with family law issues. The courses must be of an “advanced” or “intermediate” nature. Basic or introductory courses are not acceptable. The courses must be approved by the Specialty Board.

Additional Requirements

An attorney applying for specialist status must meet additional requirements regarding competence and ethical practice. The attorney must be endorsed by one current judge or magistrate. The attorney must also be endorsed by at least five highly qualified lawyers. The attorney must demonstrate substantial involvement in the field of family law in the past and at the present time. Finally, the attorney must be in good standing with the Ohio Supreme Court and must have no history of problems regarding legal ethics or legal malpractice.

Client Financial Protection

Family law specialists are required to take various actions to financially protect their clients. A specialist must maintain professional liability (malpractice) insurance. The insurance must be continually maintained and purchased through an appropriate insurance company. Finally, a specialist must have the ability to fully pay any claim regarding a loss for less than the deductible amount of the insurance policy.

Family Law Topics

For specialist certification purposes, family law includes specific lawsuits and specific issues. The lawsuits include divorce, dissolution, separation, annulment, domestic violence, and paternity. The issues include property division, debt division, shared parenting, child custody, child visitation, child support, spousal support (alimony), health insurance, and taxes. Family relations law also includes premarital planning and premarital (prenuptial) agreements.

Contact Us

Please contact the attorneys at Dougherty, Hanneman and Snedaker for a confidential consultation with an Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Family Relations Law regarding your family law issue. Attorneys Douglas Dougherty, James Hanneman and Robert “Chip” Snedaker are three of just ninety-nine attorneys (as of January 1, 2008) in the state of Ohio, who have earned the designation of Certified Specialist, Family Relations Law.