Currently, the board certifies lawyers in 13 areas of law.

APPELLATE PRACTICE

The specialty of appellate practice is the practice of law relating to appeals to the Appellate Division of the North Carolina General Courts of Justice, as well as appeals to appellate-level courts of any state or territory of the United States, the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Courts of Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the United States Courts of Criminal Appeals for the armed forces, and any tribal appellate court for a federally recognized Indian tribe.

BANKRUPTCY LAW

The specialty of business bankruptcy law is the practice of law dealing with laws and procedures involving the rights, obligations, and remedies between commercial debtors and creditors in potential or pending federal bankruptcy cases (Chapter 7, Chapter 9, Chapter 11, and Chapter 12) and state insolvency actions. The specialty of consumer bankruptcy law is the practice of law dealing with laws and procedures involving the rights, obligations, and remedies between consumer debtors and creditors in potential or pending federal bankruptcy cases (Chapter 7, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13) and state insolvency actions.

Child Welfare Law

The specialty of child welfare law is the practice of law involving abuse, neglect, dependency, and termination of parental rights. The cases revolve around children and families that are experiencing significant issues resulting in the government’s intervention to protect children’s safety while also protecting parents’ constitutional rights to parent their children. Child welfare differs from family law/domestic relations in that different laws and procedures apply, and the government through a county department of social services is involved.

CRIMINAL LAW

The specialty of state criminal law is the practice of law relating to the defense or prosecution of individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes in state trial courts, while the specialty of federal criminal law also includes such representation in federal trial court. Includes the juvenile delinquency law subspecialty which focuses specifically on the practice of law in state juvenile delinquency courts.

ELDER LAW

The specialty of elder law is the practice of law involving the counseling and representation of older persons and their representatives relative to the legal aspects of health and long term care planning; public benefits; surrogate decision-making, legal capacity; the conservation, disposition, and administration of the estates of older persons; and the implementation of decisions of older persons and their representatives relative to the foregoing with due consideration to the applicable tax consequences of an action, or the need for more sophisticated tax expertise.

ESTATE PLANNING

The specialty of estate planning and probate law is the practice of law dealing with planning for the conservation and disposition of estates, including consideration of federal and state tax consequences; the preparation of legal instruments to effectuate estate plans; and the probate of wills and administration of estates, including federal and state tax matters.

FAMILY LAW

The specialty of family law is the practice of law relating to marriage, divorce, alimony, child custody and support, equitable distribution, enforcement of support, domestic violence, bastardy, and adoption.

IMMIGRATION LAW

The practice of the specialty of immigration law concerns obtaining and retaining permission for non-citizens to enter and remain in the United States including, but not limited to, representation on such matters as visas, changes of status, deportation and exclusion, naturalization, appearances before courts and governmental agencies, and protection of constitutional rights.

Privacy and Information Security Law

The specialty of privacy and information security law encompasses the laws that regulate the collection, storage, sharing, monetization, security, disposal, and permissible uses of personal or confidential information about individuals, businesses, and organizations, and the security of information regarding individuals and the information systems of businesses and organizations. The specialty also includes legal requirements and risks related to cyber incidents, such as external intrusions into computer systems, and cyber threats, such as governmental information sharing programs. 

REAL PROPERTY LAW

Practice in the specialty of commercial real property law includes title examinations, the determination of property rights, and the acquisition, ownership, leasing, management, financing, development, use, transfer, and disposition of business, commercial, and industrial real property. Practice in the specialty of residential real property law includes title examinations, the determination of property rights, and the acquisition, ownership, leasing, financing, use, transfer, and disposition of residential real property.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LAW

The specialty of Social Security disability law is the practice of law relating to the analysis of claims and controversies arising under Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act and the representation of claimants in those matters before the Social Security Administration and/or the federal courts.

TRADEMARK LAW

The specialty of trademark law is the practice of law devoted to commercial symbols, and typically includes the following: advising clients regarding creating and selecting trademarks, conducting and/or analyzing trademark searches, prosecuting trademark applications, enforcing and protecting trademark rights, and counseling clients on matters involving trademarks. Practitioners regularly practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), the Trademark Division of the NC Secretary of State’s Office, and the North Carolina and/or federal courts.

Utilities law

The specialty of utilities law is the practice of law focusing on the North Carolina Public Utilities Act (Chapter 62 of the North Carolina General Statutes) and practice before the North Carolina Utilities Commission (the Commission) and related state and federal regulatory bodies.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW

The practice of the specialty of workers' compensation law concerns the representation of employees and the defense of employers and their insurance carriers on employees' claims for medical treatment, benefits, and the loss of ability to work arising out of workplace injuries, which includes representation before the Industrial Commission.