Board Certification is the highest level of recognition of competency and experience offered by The Florida Bar. The Board Certification program was created to assist the public in finding competent legal counsel in family law. Many lawyers handle marital and family law matters at various skill levels, but only Board Certified Marital and Family Law attorneys may use the term “specialist” or “expert” when referring to themselves. To become Board Certified a lawyer must have substantial family law experience for a minimum number of years and undergo a rigorous written exam and peer review.
Mr. Manz is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law. Ms. Klinger Smith is a Board Certified in Marital and Family Law. |
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) was founded in 1962 to promote an elite degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law. AAML Fellows across the United States are generally recognized by judges and attorneys as preeminent family law practitioners with a high level of knowledge, skill and integrity. To become a Fellow of the AAML, an attorney must be Board Certified in Marital and Family Law, pass both a state-wide and national peer review, a rigorous national written examination, and a state-wide oral examination.
Currently, there are more than 1,600 AAML Fellows in 50 U.S. states. In Florida, there are only 77 AAML Fellows, representing just .02% of all family law attorneys in the state. Mr. Manz is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and is a former President of the Florida Chapter (2010-2011). |
The International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML) is an invitation-only worldwide association of practicing lawyers who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries. The Academy was formed in 1986, inspired in part by the success of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. By creating a network of expertise in international family law around the globe, IAML Fellows share information about developments in the law in countries around the world. The IAML represents over 600 attorneys in 44 countries.
Mr. Manz is a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML). |
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An AV rating demonstrates that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence with regards to length of career, skill level, and integrity. The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings system is based on the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary, including both those who are rated and those who are not. There are two components to each Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating:
1. Legal Ability Ratings, which take into consideration the standard of professional ability in the area where the lawyer practices, the lawyer’s expertise, and other professional qualifications. 2. General Ethical Standards Rating, which denotes adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities. The Manz Law Firm is an AV Rated law firm by Martindale Hubbell. |
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.
Mr. Manz has been named as a Super Laywer. |
.A National Board of Trial Advocacy Certified Attorney has demonstrated skill and expertise in a particular field and has proven it through rigorous examination and testing by the NBTA. The NBTA, and other organizations accredited by the American Bar Association must demonstrate that lawyers certified have an enhanced level of expertise and substantial involvement in the specialty area of certification. The standards are designed to enable the NBTA to evaluate thoroughly the objectives, standards and procedures of attorneys and to facilitate public access to appropriate legal services.
"There is no dispute about the bona fides and the relevance of NBTA certification…. Disclosure of information such as that on petitioner's letterhead both serves the public interest and encourages the development and utilization of meritorious certification programs for attorneys." - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stevens in Peel v. Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of Illinois, 110 S.Ct. 2281 (1990) Mr. Manz is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by the NBTA. |