State & Local News Vol. 20, No. 3, Spring 1997 Legally Speaking By John Copelan To Certify or Not to Certify? That Is the Question. In this issue, we look at the role of certification in enhancing and promoting professionalism among state and local government practitioners. At least one state, Florida, has developed a statewide certification program and the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) is developing a national program to be started in the next year. IMLA's program will offer specialization to local government attorneys in the United States and Canada. Like the Florida program, IMLA will require practice in the local government field for at least five years and passing a written examination. The programs will differ, however, in the courses which must be taken to be eligible to apply for certification. For more information on the proposed IMLA and Florida Bar Certification experience, the articles by Marion J. Radson and Michael P. Moss on page 3 of this issue should be informative. After going through the City, County and Local Certification Program in Florida last year, along with fellow Council member David Cardwell, the pain (or pleasure) of going through a comprehensive peer review, sixty hours of the minimum required core CLE, and sitting for a one-day written examination is still fresh in the mind. As a local government attorney for over twenty years, I wasn't sure about the time commitment involved to become certified vs. the benefit of being certified. Fortunately, David and I were among the first forty-five attorneys to be certified, so our experience had a happy ending. The question for local government attorneys considering certification then becomes, why certify in local government law? The three most common reasons cited are that it is a means of identifying specialty expertise to enhance access to legal services, exemplifying professionalism, and demonstrating a high level of competence. The verdict is still out on the popularity of the programs. What do you think? Is this something nationally our Section should be looking at as a service to our members? We welcome your e-mail and faxes to comment on the issue. Over & Out in Fort Lauderdale