St. Paul, MN family law attorney Dan O’Connell explains what it means to be Board-Certified in Family Law. He explains that in Minnesota, all lawyers must obtain their license through the Minnesota Supreme Court. However, fewer than three percent of attorneys achieve board certification. To become board certified, a lawyer must pass a rigorous examination and secure references from peers, including other lawyers and even judges. He notes that board certification signals to the public that an attorney is a specialist—among the very best in the field of law in which they are certified. He himself is board certified in family trial law.

He also shares that he was honored by the Ramsey County Bar Association with the Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award, one of the greatest honors of his career. The award recognizes significant contributions to both the Ramsey County Bar Association and the broader legal community in Ramsey County, Minnesota. In addition, he has held two other major honors in his career: serving as president of the Ramsey County Bar Association and as president of the Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.