Island Business Up Close

By Bart Horowitz
ADVANCE COLUMNIST

Reprinted from the Staten Island Advance, Thursday, 05/27/1999 Page A25

Re-Certification Requirements Met

The American Board of Certification (ABC) has announced that Paul M. Hollender, a partner with the West Brighton law firm of Corash & Hollender, has met the requirements for recertification in both consumer bankruptcy and business bankruptcy law.

Hollender, a Staten Island native and resident of Randall Manor, was admitted to the bar in 1976 and received his first bankruptcy-specialty certification six years ago. In order to obtain his initial certification, he had to fulfill rigorous requirements and pass two lengthy examinations.

“The certification process is not to be taken lightly,” said Hollender. “It’s like taking the bar exam again.”

Prerequisites for re-certification included, among other things, having spent at least 30 percent of practice time – and at least 400 hours – in bankruptcy-related matters since initial certification. Hollender surpassed this requirement by far, having devoted approximately 70 percent of his practice time – and over 6,000 hours – to his specialty during the five-year period immediately preceding re-certification. In addition, the Island attorney presented ABC with documentation supporting both his involvement in the specialty and his commitment to continuing legal education.

Hollender, who frequently shares his expertise with accountants and other attorneys, also advises the clients of matrimonial lawyers in methods of “shedding nonessential financial responsibilities.”

Virginia-based ABC is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the public and improving the quality of bankruptcy-and creditors’- rights bars. The group is co-sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Commercial Law League of America. Certification programs offered by the organization are accredited by the American Bar Association.

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