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What is a "Specialist"?

Many people - and unfortunately many attorneys - casually throw around the word "specialist" when they talk. I've heard a radio advertisement by a law firm in Milwaukee doing DUI work that claims that this law firm "specializes" in criminal and drunk driving defense.

Not only was this claim false, it was ILLEGAL. The word "specialist" is often misused. In order to legally claim that they are "specialists", lawyers must meet very specific qualifications.

Occasionally, lawyers will say that they "specialize" in a particular field, such as drunk driving defense. Be very careful when you hear this type of claim. Sometimes, lawyers may claim to "specialize" or be a "specialist" without being qualified.

More often, you will hear lawyers state that they "focus" on a particular field or that their "practice is limited to" a particular field. Some of these lawyers are excellent practitioners, even if they are not "specialists."

In Wisconsin, a lawyer may not lawfully advertise or claim that he is a "specialist" or that he "specializes", unless he is board certified in a recognized specialty by a law board that is accredited by the American Bar Association. 

It is very difficult for a lawyer to achieve board certification (the requirements in the field of drunk driving defense are available at www.NCDD.com ). 

If you considering hiring a lawyer who claims to be a specialist, make sure that he is actually board certified by a board that is accredited by the American Bar Association. You deserve the best lawyer you can get, and good lawyers are expensive. So, you must look carefully at the lawyer's credentials. 

Andrew Mishlove is the only board certified drunk driving defense specialist in Wisconsin. He is one of the very few lawyers who are graduates and sustaining members of the National College of DUI Defense, with a significantly advanced level of specialized training and experience in drunk driving defense. 

He is nationally known as an outstanding drunk driving defense lawyer (See www.NCDD.com). He is also one of a very few lawyers who holds a certification in DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, the same certification held by the more advanced police officers. So, he knows how to find the mistakes in the field sobriety tests, breath test and even the blood test. 

Respected throughout Wisconsin -- Andrew Mishlove is a past Chairman of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Editor of the Wisconsin Criminal Law News. 

In addition, Andrew Mishlove has been the Program Chairman for many continuing legal education seminars, in which he has taught other lawyers how to fight drunk driving cases. More importantly, Andrew Mishlove has unsurpassed experience winning serious drunk driving cases. 

An accusation of drunk driving is not just a traffic ticket. It can cost your driver's license, your job and even your freedom. So, an accusation of drunk driving is serious. Our clients are the people who need the best, most successful, experienced lawyer that they can get. We understand that we are being trusted with one of life's most serious problems. To us, you are not just another client case number; in fact we care about your job and family. So, we'll give you the highest level of personal attention, care and commitment -- and we'll make sure that the court listens to your side of the story.

We offer a free online case evaluation and be sure to read our article How To Win a Drunk Driving Case.