COLUMBUS, OHIO – Kenneth R. Kline has been certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a specialist in family relations law. This certification makes Kline one of a small group of attorneys in Ohio to have earned this distinction.
“I am pleased to offer my clients this added expertise,” said Kline. “I would be pleased to answer questions about family law or other areas in which my practice is involved. Potential clients can call my law office at 614-484-0177 or visit our web site at www.krkfamilylaw.com.
Kline earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Indiana University-Bloomington’s Kelley School of Business. Furthermore, he is a graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington’s Maurer School of Law and Kelley School of Business with a combined JD/MBA. Kline is licensed to practice in Ohio and the US District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio. He has practiced family law exclusively since 2002. He is the former chair of the family law committee for the Columbus Bar Association. Kline volunteers his time at the Interfaith Legal Services Legal Clinics in both Franklin and Delaware counties, Jewish Family Services Legal Clinic, the YWCA Family Center, and answering calls on ABC 6 “Ask the Attorney”.
All attorneys licensed to practice law in Ohio must have graduated from an accredited law school and passed an intensive examination. In addition, they must attend continuing legal education courses as required by the Supreme Court of Ohio. Attorneys like (last name of specialist) who devote a large part of their practice to a particular area of the law may choose to go beyond these requirements to earn specialty certification. This means that they have:
- demonstrated substantial and continuing involvement in a particular field of law;
- submit references from other lawyers attesting to theircompetency in the specialty area;
- attend intermediate or advanced continuing legal education courses in the specialty area in addition to the courses required of all attorneys;
- remain in good standing with the Supreme Court of Ohio;
- maintain minimum professional liability insurance coverage, and
- passed a written examination in the specialty area.
Attorneys who have earned a specialty certification must be re-certified at least every four to seven years and must report annually to the certifying agency.
The Supreme Court of Ohio established a Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists to identify specialties and set minimum standards for certification as specialists.
Agencies that provide ongoing education for lawyers may submit their certification programs to the court for approval. Once accredited by the Supreme Court of Ohio, these agencies can then offer their certification programs to Ohio attorneys who wish to become specialists in those particular fields of law. The Ohio State Bar Association is the largest certifying agency in Ohio and was responsible for certifying Kline.
The areas of law approved for specialty certification include: Administrative agency law, Appellate law, Business bankruptcy law, Business law, Commercial and real property law, Residential real property law, Civil trial advocacy, Consumer bankruptcy law, Creditors’ rights/debt collection, Criminal trial advocacy, Elder law, Estate planning, Trust and probate law, Family relations law, Federal taxation law, Insurance Coverage Law, Labor and employment law, and Workers’ compensation law.
Some of these areas may not yet have accredited specialty programs available, and some have been combined. Other fields of law may be added to the Supreme Court’s list in the future.