David Willis Appointed to Serve on the Florida Bar Real Estate Certification Committee
David Willis Appointed to Serve on the Florida Bar Real Estate Certification Committee
RumbergerKirk Partner David Willis has been appointed to The Florida Bar Real Estate Certification Committee, beginning July 1, 2024 by The Florida Bar President-Elect Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr. No stranger to service to The Florida Bar, this will begin David’s 19th year of bar service on one of a number of Board Certification Committees.
His term as Chair of the Board of Legal Specialization and Education Committee (BLSE) ended on June 30, 2024 after serving that committee for six years. He also has served previously on the Construction Law Certification Committee from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2016, and was Chair when his term ended. His service began in 2004 when he was appointed to the Business Litigation Certification Committee. He was Vice Chair when his term ended in 2010.
“The Florida Bar has the preeminent board certification program in the country. I am honored to contribute to the program which recognizes attorneys for both their professionalism and expertise,” said David.
Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Business Litigation, Construction Law and Real Estate Law, David devotes his practice to construction, real estate and commercial matters. He is one of 15 Florida attorneys who are certified in three areas. These three areas of certification are complementary, providing David with a solid foundation to assist all of his clients, whether they are seeking counsel for corporate transactions, contract negotiations or litigation.
David’s service was recognized in a letter from President-Elect Sanchez-Medina, “Thank you for your dedication, commitment, and service which advances our profession, serves our members, and protects the citizens of Florida.”
About the Area Certification Committees:
There are a total of 27 Area Certification Committees representing the specialty areas overseen by the BLSE. Some of the duties of the Area Certification Committees include:
- Review and evaluate certification and recertification applications in accordance with area standards and recommend approval or denial to the BLSE.
- Prepare area examinations in accordance with test specifications and the drafting handbook and grade the exams.
- Propose amendments to Rules that govern the practice areas to ensure that the standards are current, attainable, and continue to represent a level of knowledge, skill, and proficiency expected of a “board certified specialist” or “board certified expert.”
- Increase awareness of board certification through interaction with Bar sections, substantive law committees, the Courts, and the public.
About Board Certification:
- Board certification is Florida’s official, independent determination of a lawyer’s expertise to practice in a specialty field of law.
- Nearly 100,000 lawyers are eligible to practice law in Florida with more entering the field each year.
- As of 2023 only 5% of eligible Florida Bar members – fewer than 5,000 lawyers – have earned board certification.