About Board Certification

Helping consumers make informed choices

K. Dean Kantaras is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar

What does it mean to say that a lawyer is “board certified?” Consumers quite naturally want an attorney who has experience in the area of law related to their legal needs, but it is not always easy to find out an attorney's level of expertise. By identifying specialists in a particular area of law, board certification helps consumers make informed decisions when they seek an attorney. Established in 1982 by the Florida Supreme Court, Board Certification is the highest level of evaluation by the Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in a particular area of law.

Recognizing a high level of skill and experience

Board certification recognizes an attorney's special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in various areas of law and it recognizes professionalism and ethics in practice. Certified attorneys are the only lawyers allowed to identify or advertise themselves as "Florida Bar Board Certified,” experts, or specialists.

K. Dean Kantaras is one of only 278 board certified marital and family law attorneys in Florida, and out of those only 18 are in Pinellas county.

Lawyers certified in marital and family law in Florida have practiced law for at least five years and have been substantially involved in the practice of marital and family law during the five years immediately preceding application. They must has been involved in at least 25 contested marital and family law cases in circuit courts during the five years immediately preceding application.

Within the three years immediately preceding application the lawyer is required to demonstrate substantial involvement in marital and family law cases sufficient to demonstrate special competence as a marital and family lawyer. “Substantial involvement” includes participation in client interviewing, counseling, investigating, preparation of pleadings, participation in discovery, taking of testimony, presentation of evidence, attendance at hearings, negotiations of settlement, attendance at mediation, drafting and preparation of marital settlement agreements, and argument and trial of marital and family law cases.

Each certified lawyer has received favorable confidential peer review, completed 50 hours of continuing legal education within the three years immediately preceding application, and passed a rigorous written examination demonstrating sufficient knowledge, skills, and proficiency in the field of marital and family law to justify the representation of special competence.

The Board Certification program is predicated on experience and integrity, and it harmonizes with the importance we place on our firm's high standards of professionalism.

K. Dean Kantaras is board certified in marital and family law by the Florida Bar. Call (727) 781-0000 to reach a divorce lawyer in Clearwater or fill out our online web form.