Barry Knopf and Peter Pearlman, senior partners, were recently notified that the Supreme Court of New Jersey Board on Attorney Certification has recertified them as New Jersey Civil Trial Attorneys. Knopf and Pearlman were originally certified in 1982 when the state first began certifying attorneys. They have been recertified every five years since that time, so at the end of their recent recertification, in 2023, they will have had their recertification for 41 years.While they are the longest such certified attorneys at Cohn Lifland, they are among five litigators who are Certified Civil Trial Attorneys. The others are Charles Cohen, Leonard Kaufmann and Joseph Maurice. Five Certified attorneys among 13 partners at the firm is an unusually high percentage.An attorney must meet the following requirements to become certified:
- has been a member in good standing of the New Jersey Bar for at least five years;
- has taken a specific number of continuing legal education courses in the three years prior to filing an application;
- demonstrates substantial involvement in preparation and trial of litigated matters;
- demonstrates an unblemished reputation by submitting a list of attorneys and judges who will attest to the applicant’s character and ability; and
- passes a written examination covering various aspects of practice in the designated specialty.