BRADENTON, FLORIDA – Fred E. Moore, a principal of Blalock, Walters, Held & Johnson, P.A., is one of only eight Florida lawyers recently certified by the Florida Bar as a legal specialist in business litigation. Certified attorneys are the only Florida lawyers allowed to identify or advertise themselves as specialists or experts.
Business litigation includes evaluating, handling and resolving disagreements prior to the filing of a law suit, and preparing for and trying cases and post-judgment proceedings. It includes litigation in state and federal courts, and before administrative agencies, mediators and arbitrators.
“Florida’s board certification program is one of the leaders in the nation in maintaining the highest standards for excellence and professionalism while adding practice areas for greater public access to legal specialists,” said Florida Bar President John G. “Jay” White III. “The program is predicated on experience and integrity, the foundations that are inseparable from our work as lawyers to advance the administration of justice.”
“All of us at Blalock Walters are proud of Fred’s accomplishment, as well as the level of skill and experience he brings to our clients,” said Cliff Walters, Managing Partner of Blalock Walters.“Certification is the highest level of evaluation by the Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in areas of law approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida.”
“I am happy to complete the certification requirements and to be recognized as an expert by the Florida Bar,” said Moore. “This is a great milestone and my congratulations go out to the attorneys who also received this certification.”
Moore specializes in civil litigation and appellate practice, with a concentration in commercial, employment and real estate disputes. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, graduating cum laude, and received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida at Gainesville. He is licensed to practice law in Florida and is a member of the Manatee County and Sarasota County Bar Associations, as well as a barrister with the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court, which promotes excellence in legal advocacy. Moore is a board member of Legal Aid of Manasota Inc.
Board certification evaluates attorneys’ special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. Florida currently offers 22 specialty areas for which certification is available. Approximately 4,200 of 80,000 Florida lawyers are board certified.
Minimum requirements for certification include at least five years in law practice; substantial involvement in the field for which certification is sought; a passing grade on the examination required by all applicants; a satisfactory peer review assessment of competence in the specialty, as well as character, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law; and satisfaction of the certification area’s continuing legal education requirements.
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. Recertification requirements are similar to those for initial certification.
