Distel joins elite group with Board Certification in Florida

McDonald Hopkins associate Craig Distel recently earned Board Certification in Construction Law from the Florida Bar. Distel is among only seven percent of eligible Florida Bar members who are recognized as experts in their area of certification.

Board Certification is approved by The Florida Supreme Court and administered by the most credible and highest authority over the state’s legal community, The Florida Bar. It requires attorneys to pass a comprehensive examination that evaluates a high level of knowledge, skills, and expertise in a specialty field.

“I am impressed with the hard work and sacrifice that Craig has invested to achieve his Certification,” said John Metzger, managing member of the McDonald Hopkins West Palm Beach office. “It says a lot about his dedication to his career, our firm and his future. Most importantly, this certification will continue to add value to our clients and colleagues in the construction industry with Craig’s additional credentials and expertise.”

Distel joins Metzger and Mario Ruiz as the third Florida board-certified member of the West Palm Beach office.

“Board Certification is a very challenging process by which the Florida Bar objectively validates that a lawyer has become a specialist,” Ruiz said. “Craig went through a lengthy and difficult full-day examination to prove he reached a high level of expertise.”

Every attorney with Board Certification undergoes a rigorous peer-review process that assesses competence in a specialty field, along with professionalism, experience, expertise and ethics in the practice of law. Certified attorneys are the only ones permitted to use the terms specialist or Board Certified Specialist when referring to their legal credentials.

Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar. Attorneys must also satisfy the certification area’s continuing legal education requirements.

Distel’s experience at McDonald Hopkins includes specializing in construction litigation and construction transaction matters. He has represented numerous developers, owners, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals.