NCDD Blog

Posted on May 18, 2019 in Board Certification

Steve Oberman was one of the forefathers of our NCDD Board Certification Process and remains integral to its yearly success. Never shy to comment, here's what Steve Oberman wants YOU to think about:

"You Should NOT Become Board Certified as a DUI Defense Specialist if you don't want to:

Receive additional respect from judges and your peers;

Become a better lawyer;

Be recognized for your accomplishments by the NCDD, the media and others;

Posted on May 11, 2019 in Board Certification

Donald Ramsell is one of the most vocal and well known of our Board Certified members. As a Regent for the NCDD, he knew that the Certification Exam would be tough, but he had no doubts he could pass it! Have you mastered the subject? If so and are thinking about taking the exam, here's what Don wants you to know:

"There are several reasons why I became board certified. Knowing that only 50 or so attorneys in the world are so certified, I wanted to establish my position as a top attorney in the field of DUI defense amongst my peers. No one can argue with my qualifications after having earned the highest recognition in our field: this one can't be bought and you can only be certified if you are a proven trial attorney. Second, I felt that this would be the ultimate test of my knowledge in the law that I have made into my lifelong career. Finally, board certification is something that I can be personally proud of – and so too can my family and my friends."

Posted on May 06, 2019 in Board Certification

Professional certification has been recognized for some time in a number of professions, especially in the medical field.

Traditionally, a person is certified as being competent to perform specialized services or tasks. This designation is usually conferred upon an individual after he or she has completed a program of study, passed an examination, and demonstrated exceptional skill in the performance of work experience in the related field.

Several years after the formation of the College, a number of us concluded that, if the College was to become the national authority for DUI education, as we envisioned it would, then we were perfectly situated to bestow Board Certification in DUI Defense. Such designation did not exist at that time anywhere in the country. It took many years of dedicated work by the members of the original Certification Committee as well as the entire Board of Regents to turn this dream into reality. Now we bestow, under the recognized approval of the American Bar Association, Board Certification in DUI Defense. No other such certification exists.

Posted on April 30, 2019 in Board Certification

I image that not everyone believes that Board Certification is right for them or may be concerned with whether it would be recognized in their home state. NCDD asked Board Certified Attorney Bruce Edge, what he thought about this. Here's what he had to say:

"The Oklahoma Bar Association does not recognize a ‘specialist‘ and does not allow anyone to advertise as one. I can say I am the only Board Certified Attorney in Tulsa according to the American Bar Association guidelines. The National College for DUI Defense is the only organization in the State who has recognition that can be mentioned in this manner.

Posted on April 24, 2019 in Board Certification

I became board certified to prove to myself, to the profession, and to the public that I was an elite lawyer. In an era of hype and phony pay-for-play credentials, the NCDD board certification program stands alone as test as test of DUI defense knowledge, and courtroom skill. There's are two reasons why fewer than 60 lawyers in America have achieved board certification: the requirements for eligibility to take the exam are stringent, and the exam itself is very difficult. Accredited by the American Bar Association, it is the only credential that is officially recognized in my home State of Wisconsin, allowing me to lawfully say that I am a Specialist. The recognition that I received for becoming board certified has dramatically enhanced my career, reputation, and my practice.

Posted on April 17, 2019 in Board Certification

A couple of weeks ago, Regent Paul Burglin gave an excellent presentation for the California DUI Lawyers Association at their annual DUI Seminar in San Francisco and his Board Certification clearly was a factor in having him be the first speaker. Paul's humor, motions materials and teaching technique were unique and even included a "hose"! You'll have to ask him about that

Paul gave NCDD information to share with you about board certification since our deadline for the upcoming exam is August 31st!

"Only serious DUI defense lawyers are members of the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), and of its approximately 2,000 members less than 60 have attained its preeminent "Board Certification" distinction. This is an elite group of DUI defenders and the reason I sat for the exam is I wanted to be one of them.

Posted on April 10, 2019 in Board Certification

One of the very best experiences in preparing for Board Certification was that I talked myself through the fundamentals of being a successful DUI specialist: Knowledge, Preparation, Training and Talent. Reviewing the knowledge that I gained by being in court every day, running motions, talking with other DUI attorneys, reaching out to my mentors and getting "back to the basics," helped me organize and prepare for the written and practical part of the test. I also spent time reviewing a long list of materials suggested to me (see the NCDD website on Preparing for the NCDD Board Certification Examination). Reviewed in their entirety before the exam, and still reference books that I pull out regularly are Drunk Driving Defense by Taylor & Oberman, Medical Legal Aspects of Alcohol by Garriott, California Drunk Driving Law by Burglin, Simons and Kuwatch, and all of the validation studies.

Posted on April 07, 2019 in Board Certification

On July 22, 2017 attorney Jonathan Goebel of Phoenix, AZ was awarded Board Certification in DUI Defense by The National College for DUI Defense®, Inc. ("NCDD"). He received this honor at the NCDD Summer Session Conference at Harvard Law School. He achieved his Certification by satisfying the rigorous criteria including passing both the demanding NCDD written and oral exams on DUI laws, DUI defenses, DUI science, DUI testing procedures and DUI defense practice ethics.

After graduating from Pepperdine Law School in Malibu, California, Mr. Goebel relocated to Phoenix, Arizona where he immediately began working as a Deputy County Attorney for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office where he prosecuted hundreds of felony and misdemeanor cases including DUI's. He also worked as an Assistant Attorney General where he prosecuted white-collar fraud and political corruption. He transitioned to private criminal defense where he has had the pleasure of representing hundreds of clients accused of both misdemeanor and felony DUI.

Posted on April 02, 2019 in Board Certification

NCDD Members:

Summer Session 2017 was a wonderful time of learning from some of the best in our business as well as finding and fostering new friendships. For those of you who missed it, we are pleased to announce that two of our esteemed members, John Goebel from Phoenix, Arizona and Brad Williams from Conway, Arkansas, became Board Certified in DUI Defense! Congratulations from all of us at NCDD.

If you haven't been to Summer Session, the incoming Dean of the College gives a "Dean's Address" and this year I had the privilege of delivering that address and discussed one of NCDD's greatest accomplishment and contributions to the practice of law, Board Certification.

Posted on March 29, 2019 in Board Certification

Board Certification as a DUI Defense Specialist through the National College of DUI Defense is the most meaningful and significant professional development in my DUI Defense Practice. I am one of only two (2) lawyers practicing in New Hampshire with the designation and one of only (3) three practicing in Massachusetts with the designation. Prospective clients, colleagues and friends ask me, "what does the Board Certification mean?" I tell them that following a rigorous and thorough application process I was deemed worthy of being tested by the very best DUI Defense Lawyers in the Country to determine whether my DUI Defense skills were equal to those of the best lawyers in this highly specialized field. I appreciated the fact that the College required proof of at least sixty (60) contested DUI matters over a three (3) year period and verified the same with certified copies of Court Dockets. I pride myself on not being a "plea escort" service and finally a fringe benefit of trying so many cases emerged. I began to realize how many cases I actually bring to verdict, as compared to other lawyers, and how often I was successful on some very difficult cases. It was also rewarding to ask for, and receive, approving recommendations from six (6) separate Judges, three from each of my practice jurisdictions, all of whom had presided over dozens of my DUI trials.

Posted on March 26, 2019 in Board Certification

In 2001 when I applied for Board Certification, the designation was in its infancy. I have since been recertified twice. Preparation, then and now, really consists of being a solid DUI defense lawyer and brushing up on some statistics. You cannot, and should not, cram for this exam. There's a lot of talk about how difficult the exam is, but if you know your stuff because you're immersed in it every day, all you really need to do is refresh your memory on some of the finer points on subjects like SFSTs, breath and blood testing parameters. People assume that the test is loaded with trick questions on arcane information, but it is not. The test—in fact the whole process–is designed to test your substantive knowledge as a DUI defense lawyer.

Posted on March 21, 2019 in Board Certification

Our Board Certification Committee is often asked how the NCDD Board Certification Program came to be approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). In response to this query, allow me to provide a historical perspective.

In the mid-1990s, the NCDD made a historical commitment to create a Certification Program and focus on the promotion of Board Certification for DUI Defense across the nation. This need was necessitated by the concern for those accused of DUI who were (and continue) to be bombarded by advertisements of lawyers who promote themselves as DUI defense specialists, but in reality know little of the complex science and procedures unique to DUI defense.

Posted on March 16, 2019 in Board Certification

If you are considering taking the Board Certification examination, congratulations! You are taking a huge step forward in the quality of representation that you provide to your clients. You are making a huge investment in what type of lawyer you want to be. That is a great thing. So, I want to provide you with 3 simple tips that I believe will benefit you greatly in preparing for the exam.

1. It is never to early to begin compiling your application materials. Gathering the materials required to verify your trials and motions hearings will take a very long time. Do not allow that process and the work required to gather those materials to cut into your preparation for the exam and your practice. Start compiling those materials well in advance of the deadline.
2. Rely heavily upon Taylor and Oberman's Drunk Driving Defense treatise. No one really likes to say what you should study in preparing for the examination, but I will. If you know Taylor and Oberman (and really know it), you will be ready for this test. I outlined the entirety of the book, and it was my primary source. (No, I'm not sharing my outline.)
3. Start your brief early. You need to work on your brief early (and often). Do not squander those points. If you do waste those potential points, you will regret it later. Get started early so that your holidays are not consumed with writing it.

1. Good Luck!

   Ben Sessions

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Posted on March 13, 2019 in Board Certification

When I originally took the Board Certification Test for DUI Defense it was solely about me. In fact, when I took it, the Florida Bar rules prohibited me from telling people I was Board Certified, however, I thought I was one of the better DUI attorneys in my area, but I had so much less experience than the others. I wanted to prove to myself that I belonged among the best.

I worked hard to qualify to sit for the test and took it after being an attorney for just over 5 years. Board Certification in DUI Defense put me among a small group of the best DUI practitioners I knew. I proved to myself that I could walk proudly in their company.Business wise, it certainly did not hurt that I was the only Board-Certified DUI Defense Expert with an office in Orlando, FL. Often, I would have potential clients come in and tell me that they were told to speak with me and a couple other DUI attorneys in my area. The Board Certification really made me stand out. My practice has continued to grow over the years in part due to my Board Certification, which I can now advertise.

Posted on March 07, 2019 in Board Certification

Is it demanding? Yes. Is it challenging? For sure. Will it make you a better lawyer? Hell yes. And that reason alone is why you should take NCDD's Board Certification Exam. I practice in Washington State, where specialties and Board Certifications are not recognized by my State Bar Association. I had the same thoughts that many good DUI lawyers have – why should I take it? What is the benefit? Since my state doesn't recognize it, it's not for me. Then I talked to a number of board certified lawyers who I had met through the College. And I realized I was applying the wrong standard.

Posted on January 10, 2019 in Board Certification

In 2001 when I applied for Board Certification, the designation was in its infancy. I have since been recertified twice. Preparation, then and now, really consists of being a solid DUI defense lawyer and brushing up on some statistics. You cannot, and should not, cram for this exam. There's a lot of talk about how difficult the exam is, but if you know your stuff because you're immersed in it every day, all you really need to do is refresh your memory on some of the finer points on subjects like SFSTs, breath and blood testing parameters. People assume that the test is loaded with trick questions on arcane information, but it is not. The test—in fact the whole process–is designed to test your substantive knowledge as a DUI defense lawyer.

Posted on January 04, 2019 in Board Certification

Our Certification Committee is often asked how the NCDD Board Certification Program came to be approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). In response to this query, allow me to provide a historical perspective.

In the mid-1990s, the NCDD made a historical commitment to create a Certification Program and focus on the promotion of Board Certification for DUI Defense across the nation. This need was necessitated by the concern for those accused of DUI who were (and continue) to be bombarded by advertisements of lawyers who promote themselves as DUI defense specialists, but in reality know little of the complex science and procedures unique to DUI defense.

Posted on December 30, 2018 in Board Certification

One of the very best experiences in preparing for Board Certification was that I talked myself through the fundamentals of being a successful DUI specialist: Knowledge, Preparation, Training and Talent. Reviewing the knowledge that I gained by being in court every day, running motions, talking with other DUI attorneys, reaching out to my mentors and getting "back to the basics," helped me organize and prepare for the written and practical part of the test. I also spent time reviewing a long list of materials suggested to me (see the NCDD website on Preparing for the NCDD Board Certification Examination). Reviewed in their entirety before the exam, and still reference books that I pull out regularly are Drunk Driving Defense by Taylor & Oberman, Medical Legal Aspects of Alcohol by Garriott, California Drunk Driving Law by Burglin, Simons and Kuwatch, and all of the validation studies.

Posted on December 27, 2018 in Board Certification

Is it demanding? Yes. Is it challenging? For sure. Will it make you a better lawyer? Hell yes. And that reason alone is why you should take NCDD's Board Certification Exam. I practice in Washington State, where specialties and Board Certifications are not recognized by my State Bar Association. I had the same thoughts that many good DUI lawyers have – why should I take it? What is the benefit? Since my state doesn't recognize it, it's not for me. Then I talked to a number of board certified lawyers who I had met through the College. And I realized I was applying the wrong standard.

Posted on December 21, 2018 in Board Certification

For many years, I was of the opinion that I didn't need to take the Board Certification test. Oklahoma didn't recognize certification. I have never been asked by a potential client about it. I was competing for and signing up cases without it. I took the bar exam and wasn't taken any more exams. I had lots of reasons why I didn't need it.

Truth was that I wasn't up for the challenge. Was I really good enough to pass the test? Even though I had written many books on DUI Defense and had taught numerous courses on how to defend a DUI, did I really know the material that I used every day?

Posted on December 16, 2018 in Board Certification

You may have heard how difficult the DUI Board Certification test is. Unfortunately, there are many among us who allow themselves to be discouraged from taking the test because they have allowed themselves to believe it is too difficult.

The truth however, in my experience is a little different. Taking the test begins with the application process. This part of the task can seem to be the most difficult as you or your assistant must dredge up old files to find dispositions to send with the application. These days, however, as more and more parts of the country begin to have court records stored electronically, it may be as simple as pulling your cases up on the clerk's website and printing dispositions. Once you have compiled all the paperwork you need and obtained the letters of recommendation, you can submit your application. It is not as daunting as you might think. You will need to document 15 trials in the last 3 years (jury or bench), and 40 contested hearings, which can include pre-trial motions hearings and even driver's license hearings in most jurisdictions.

Posted on September 11, 2018 in Board Certification

The National College for DUI Defense, Inc. is pleased to announce that The Florida Bar has approved the NCDD as the sole certifying body for DUI Defense lawyers in Florida seeking board certification in this specialty area of the practice of law. This is truly a welcome announcement for The College as it has been a goal several years in the making. Our application has been the subject of strict scrutiny by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization & Education (BLSE), and the NCDD Board Certification Committee has been persistently responding to BLSE inquiries about our certification process. Last week, the NCDD received the wonderful news that our application has been approved. The NCDD is grateful to The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education for the hours put in by their staff to learn more about this area of practice and the NCDD's commitment to educating lawyers in this specialty area.

Posted on March 25, 2018 in Board Certification

On behalf of the Board of Regents of the National College for DUI Defense, we are please to provide some important information regarding the College's Board Certification program. In an effort to assist the public in recognizing lawyers who focus their practice on defending those accused of DUI and who have demonstrated their competence to do so, the National College for DUI Defense committed itself early in its history to institute a board certification program for DUI Defense Law practitioners. The Board of Regents certified its first lawyers in 1999.