ABC Programs Earn Reaccreditation from ABA

On Aug. 9, 2004, the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates granted reaccreditation of the ABC business bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcy and creditors' rights programs for an additional five years. The programs have been accredited since 1993. Sixteen states recognize ABA accreditation as the sole or partial criteria for approving certifying organizations in the state. To view the complete list of states, visit the ABC web site at <a href="http://www.abcworld.org">http://www.abcworld.org</a&gt;. The accreditations demonstrate that the ABC programs have been found to conform to ABA standards. The ABA accreditation process includes a review of the examinations, application requirements and organization policies and procedures.

</p><p>Two new legal certification programs have gained ABA accreditation. The National Association of Counsel for Children is currently launching a certification program. The National College for DUI Defense Inc. launched a legal certification program in 1999 and just gained ABA accreditation. The addition of these national legal certification programs brings the total number to 10. In addition to the three ABC programs, national certification programs are administered by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (accounting professional liability, legal professional liability and medical professional liability), the National Board of Trial Advocacy (criminal, civil and family trial law) and the Elder Law Foundation.

</p><p>The ABA accreditation process is overseen by the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Specialization. The Committee is chaired by Myron Sheinfeld, senior counsel in the financial restructuring practice at Akin Gump (Houston). Christine Myatt, an attorney who is ABC-certified in business bankruptcy law, was recently appointed to serve a three-year term on the committee. Ms. Myatt practices bankruptcy, collections and creditors' rights law at the Greensboro, N.C. office of Nexsen Pruet Adams Kleemeier PLLC. Ms. Myatt is also certified in business bankruptcy law by the North Carolina Bar Association Board of Legal Specialization, and previously chaired that board. She currently chairs the North Carolina Bar Association Bankruptcy Section and is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the American Bar Association, the Commercial Law League of America and the Turnaround Management Association.

</p><h4>Exam Dates</h4>
<p><b>Oct. 10, 2004</b><br>
Nashville, Tenn.<br>
(in conjunction with the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges)

</p><p><b>Nov. 11, 2004</b><br>
New York<br>
(in conjunction with the CLLA New York Meeting)

</p><p><b>Dec. 2, 2004</b><br>
Scottsdale, Ariz.<br>
(in conjunction with the ABI Winter Leadership Conference)

</p><p><b>April 7, 2005</b><br>
Chicago<br>
(in conjunction with the CLLA Chicago Conference)

</p><p><b>April 28, 2005</b><br>
Washington, D.C.<br>
(in conjunction with the ABI Annual Spring Meeting)

</p><p><b>April 29, 2005</b><br>
San Diego<br>
(in conjunction with the Nat'l. Assn. of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys).

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