Eileen Rhea Tulipan was Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Matrimonial Law Attorney in 1997 - the first year matrimonial lawyers were certified.

To qualify for certification by the the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Matrimonial Law Attorney, an attorney must be at least a five-year member of the NJ Bar, and have completed numerous continuing legal education courses in the three years prior to filing an application. In addition, the attorney must show a substantial level of experience, education, knowledge and expertise in matrimonial law practice including contested matrimonial law actions and trials. Attorneys who apply for certification must meet stringent standards set by the Board on Trial Attorney Certification.

Further requirements include an unblemished reputation. Applicants must submit a list of other attorneys and judges who can attest to their character and ability. Finally, the applicant must pass a full day's written examination covering various aspects of matrimonial law practice.

Only 5% of the 1,400 members of the New Jersey Bar Family Law Section achieved certification after a rigorous review of practice credentials and examination on the law.

The Certification program provides a useful consumer guide to identifying attorneys with specific legal experience in handling matrimonial law matters. Certified attorneys may retain the distinction for only seven years before applying for recertification, at which time they must satisfy another set of requirements, insuring they have retained their competence.

For more information about the Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney program, contact the Board on Trial Attorney Certification, CN 970, Trenton, NJ 08625, 609-777-0366.

Thank you to The Board on Trial Attorney Certification for allowing us to reprint part of its pamphlet titled "Why Choose A Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney."