Attorney James Bart Leonardi Certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association

Attorney Bart Leonardi is now a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. This certification by the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) denotes lawyers with demonstrated expertise in particular legal fields, well beyond the basic requirements for being licensed to practice law.

What Does it Mean to be a “Certified Specialist”?

The OSBA is accredited by the Supreme Court of Ohio to certify attorneys as specialists in 11 different areas of law. Certification requires, most notably: substantial involvement in a particular field of law; a minimum of 36 hours intermediate or advanced continuing legal education in the field in the prior three years; passage of a written exam on the area of practice; five professional references from judges and/or other certified attorneys attesting to the attorney’s competency in the area; and maintain a certain level of professional liability insurance. Certified attorneys must be re-certified every 4-7 years.

The OSBA certification process is based on objective criteria in the form of a written exam and a set of specific requirements related to the experience and involvement of the attorney in their chosen field of law. It is therefore set apart from honorary certifications and must be earned, and continually updated by the attorney.

Bart Leonardi was one of eight Ohio attorneys certified as specialists in Ohio estate planning, trust and probate law on January 1, 2017.

For additional information about certification or about estate planning and probate law services in the Cleveland area, please contact us by calling 440-937-8364, emailing info@bartleonardi.com or completing our online contact form.