The not-for-profit National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) awards board certification to criminal, civil and family law practicing attorneys who are highly active in their practices and who are continuing their legal education. NBTA certified trial attorneys meet the ethical and legal standards of the American Bar Association, the U.S. Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Commission on Certification.

Those that are selected to be awarded by the National Board of Trial Advocacy have demonstrated success and experience in their field of practice. Candidates for certification have been in practice for at least five years and concentrate in their primary field at least one-third of the time. They have maintained continuing education of at least 45 hours over the three years prior to their application and have submitted peer and judge references.

In order to be selected for an award, an attorney must represent an established number of cases that extend over a specified period of time. This ensures that the attorneys selected for the award have demonstrated their abilities in a trial.