TBLS board certification and lawyer awards measure different things. Personal Injury Trial Law certification assesses an individual lawyer against published specialty standards. Awards, directory ratings, memberships and client reviews use other criteria, which vary by issuer. Check what each distinction evaluates and whether it is current. Neither certification nor an award promises a larger settlement or a successful case.
Part of our TBLS Personal Injury Knowledge Hub.
Compare the credential behind the badge
| Recognition | Check | Does not establish by itself |
|---|---|---|
| TBLS certification | Specialty standards and current individual status | A guaranteed outcome or fit for every case |
| Lawyer award | Issuer, selection process, year and payment conditions | Completion of TBLS requirements |
| Directory rating | Methodology, information considered and update date | A complete assessment of trial competence |
| Association membership | Eligibility and participation requirements | Specialty certification |
| Client reviews | Specific experiences, context and recurring patterns | An independently verified trial record |
What TBLS certification requires
An applicant has to document relevant work, obtain references, complete the required continuing education and pass an examination. The details are in the official TBLS standards. For this specialty, use the general and Personal Injury Trial Law standards: a reference to “trial experience” on a biography does not establish that the particular work satisfies those requirements. Certification also has to be renewed.
Our Personal Injury Trial Law certification guide puts the process in context. For detail, see the certification requirements and first-chair trial requirements for TBLS certification.
Other credentials need their own explanation
Who issued the award? Look for that organization's selection rules, not just its logo on the lawyer's website. A nomination, a peer vote and an examination each tell you something different. If the issuer charges a fee, find out what the fee buys. It might pay for entry into the selection process, membership or permission to display a badge after an award was earned. Check the award year as well. You will still need to ask about the lawyer's current work and availability.
Reading client reviews
Read a few reviews in full. What did the reviewer actually describe: a returned call, a fee discussion, a settlement, or a trial? Those are different experiences. Bring recurring concerns to the consultation and ask how the office handles them. For courtroom experience, ask the lawyer directly about relevant cases and the work they personally performed. The number of stars cannot answer that question or predict your result.
Questions about credentials
Is a “Top Lawyer” award the same as board certification?
No. “Top Lawyer” is an award label, so you need the issuer's explanation of what it means. It does not substitute for a current TBLS specialty listing.
Does paying membership dues establish trial experience?
No. Membership alone does not establish what cases a lawyer tried or which courtroom responsibilities the lawyer held.
Can a capable lawyer practice without board certification?
Yes. Certification is voluntary. Ask every prospective lawyer about relevant experience, staffing and the work your claim needs.
How do I verify current certification?
Search the individual in TBLS's Find a Board Certified Lawyer directory. Confirm the name and Personal Injury Trial Law specialty. A firm's badge does not certify every lawyer employed there.
Does certification guarantee a larger settlement?
No. Evidence, legal responsibility, damages and available recovery sources still matter. Use our guide to comparing board-certified lawyers and ask who will handle your injury case.
ABOUT THE ATTORNEY
Aaron A. Herbert
Founding Attorney
Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law
Aaron founded The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert in 2010 to focus on developing each client's case and seeking its maximum value. For over a decade, he has represented people seriously injured in major accidents and industrial catastrophes, pursuing trial verdicts and settlements while working to reduce the stress of litigation.
Education
- Texas A&M University · B.S., Criminal Justice, 1999
- University of Oklahoma College of Law · J.D., 2002; graduated in the top of his class
Trial experience & approach
Aaron earned numerous jury verdicts at boutique personal injury litigation firms. According to his biography, he spent a year as the top-earning litigation attorney at a firm that frequently appeared in verdict searches as having one of the highest numbers of trial wins in Texas. At another Dallas personal injury firm, he moved from managing pre-litigation attorney to managing litigation attorney over seven years as the firm grew into one of Dallas's largest personal injury firms.
His biography describes a reputation as one of America's most aggressive trial lawyers, with noteworthy recoveries from judges and juries and substantial pretrial settlements. Most of those settlements included confidentiality agreements requested by the defense. Aaron has said the recoveries were justified by the injuries and losses involved, which no amount of money could make someone choose to experience.
His approach combines passion, preparation, persistence and courtroom imagination. He believes a well-supported, engaged and motivated team working cooperatively helps deliver strong representation, with the goal of achieving the best possible result for every client.
Dallas roots, military service & publication
Born and raised in Dallas, Aaron enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and later received an Honorable Discharge. He completed his university and law degrees after his military service and became a lifelong Sooners football fan in law school.
Publication: “Litigating Dog Bite Cases,” Texas Dog Law Seminar, Dallas, 2009.
Professional affiliations & recognition
Professional affiliations and recognition listed in Aaron’s biography:
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now American Association for Justice)
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Trial experience & approach
Aaron earned numerous jury verdicts at boutique personal injury litigation firms. According to his biography, he spent a year as the top-earning litigation attorney at a firm that frequently appeared in verdict searches as having one of the highest numbers of trial wins in Texas. At another Dallas personal injury firm, he moved from managing pre-litigation attorney to managing litigation attorney over seven years as the firm grew into one of Dallas's largest personal injury firms.
His biography describes a reputation as one of America's most aggressive trial lawyers, with noteworthy recoveries from judges and juries and substantial pretrial settlements. Most of those settlements included confidentiality agreements requested by the defense. Aaron has said the recoveries were justified by the injuries and losses involved, which no amount of money could make someone choose to experience.
His approach combines passion, preparation, persistence and courtroom imagination. He believes a well-supported, engaged and motivated team working cooperatively helps deliver strong representation, with the goal of achieving the best possible result for every client.
Dallas roots, military service & publication
Born and raised in Dallas, Aaron enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and later received an Honorable Discharge. He completed his university and law degrees after his military service and became a lifelong Sooners football fan in law school.
Publication: “Litigating Dog Bite Cases,” Texas Dog Law Seminar, Dallas, 2009.
Professional affiliations & recognition
Professional affiliations and recognition listed in Aaron’s biography:
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now American Association for Justice)
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers