Board Certified Health Law Attorney

George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is:

Board Certified in the Specialty of Health Law by the Florida Bar Committee on Legal Specialization.
Board Certified as a Health Care Risk Manager by the American Board of Risk Management.

George F. Indest III – Attorney Profile (click here)

Michael L. Smith, R.R.T., J.D., is:

Board Certified in the Specialty of Health Law by the Florida Bar Committee on Legal Specialization.

Michael L. Smith – Attorney Profile (click here)

What is a Board Certified Health Law Attorney?

Maybe you have never needed the services of an attorney before; but now you do. Obviously, you want a lawyer who is able to handle your particular legal situation, and who has expertise in the area of law relating to your legal needs.

To assist you in finding such a lawyer, the Supreme Court of Florida directed the Florida Bar to offer a “Board Certification” program for Florida Bar members. The program is designed to help the public make an informed decision when seeking and selecting a lawyer.

While all lawyers are allowed to advertise, only certified attorneys are allowed to identify themselves as “Florida Bar Board Certified” or as a “specialist.” Certification is the highest level of recognition by the Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida.

A lawyer who is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar and who meets the standards set by the state’s Supreme Court, may become a “Board Certified Health Law Attorney.”

Certified lawyers in health law deal with legal issues involving federal, state, or local law, rules and regulations and health care provider issues, regulation of providers, legal issues regarding relationships between and among providers, legal issues regarding relationships between providers and payors, and legal issues regarding the delivery of health care services.

Every lawyer certified in health law has practiced law on a full-time basis for at least five years. If the lawyer has an LL.M. degree in health law or related field approved by The Florida Bar, then such degree can substitute for one year of practice. Each certified lawyer has substantial involvement-40 percent or more-in the practice of health law during the three years immediately preceding application. Each certified lawyer has passed peer review, completed 60 hours of continuing legal education within the three years immediately preceding application and passed a written examination demonstrating knowledge, skills, and proficiency in the field of health law to justify the representation of special competence.

Board certification is valid for five years, during which time the attorney must continue to practice law and attend Florida Bar-approved continuing legal education courses. To be recertified, requirements similar to those for initial certification must be met. Not all qualified lawyers are certified, but those who are board certified have taken the extra step to have their competence and experience recognized.

Health Law Certification was approved by the Supreme Court of Florida in 1994.

To learn more on board certification, visit The Florida Bar website.

Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Specialties

Q: Why does The Florida Bar have a program for certifying a lawyer as a specialist in an area of law?

A: Board certification helps consumers find a lawyer who has demonstrated ability and experience in specialized fields of law. Certification helps lawyers, too, by giving them a way to make known their experience to the public and other lawyers. By requiring a lawyer to continue his or her legal education in speciality fields, certification also helps improve competence.

Q: In what areas of the law can a lawyer be certified as a specialist?

Admiralty and Maritime
Appellate Law
Aviation Law
Business Litigation
Civil Trial
City, County, and Local Government
Criminal Law
Trial Appellate

Health Law
Immigration and Nationality
Marital and Family Law
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Wills, Trusts, and Estates
Workers’ Compensation

Q: How does a lawyer qualify?

A: To become a certified specialist, a lawyer must:

be an active member in good standing of The Florida Bar
have practiced law for a minimum of five years
pass a written examination in the specialty area
demonstrate substantial experience in the specialty area
complete approved continuing legal education programs
have the ability and experience in the speciality field favorably evaluated by judges and other lawyers

Q: How long is a lawyer certified?

A: Certification is granted for five years. To be recertified, requirements similar to those for initial certification must be met.

Q: How many Florida lawyers have attained board certification as a specialist in Health Law?

A: As of this date, there are fewer than 200 attorneys who have become board certified in the field of Health Law.

Q: How many Florida lawyers have attained board certification as a specialist?

A: More than 3,100 lawyers are currently certified by the Board of Legal Specialization and Education, which administers the certification program.

Q: How can consumers know whether a lawyer is a certified specialist?

A: Only a lawyer certified by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education is entitled to state that he or she is “board certified” or a “specialist” on business cards, letterhead, in legal directories and yellow pages of telephone directories. In addition, certified lawyer directories are published annually and sent to libraries and local bar associations throughout Florida. Consumers may also contact the office of The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education.