1. What is a California "certified" legal specialist?
   
2. What areas are directly certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization?
   
3. How many attorneys are certified in those areas?
   
4. How can I find a certified legal specialist?
   
5. What areas are certified by accredited organizations?
   
6. I'm a lawyer. Am I eligible to become a certified specialist?
   

1. What is a California "certified" legal specialist?

Answer: Attorneys may advertise or identify themselves as "certified" specialists in California only if they are certified either by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, or an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the State Bar. (Such an organization must have requirements for certification that are at least equal to those of the State Bar's program.)

California attorneys who are certified as specialists must have taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrated a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfilled ongoing education requirements, and been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.

2. What areas are directly certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization?

Answer: Eleven areas:

1. Admiralty and Maritime Law
2. Appellate Law
3. Bankruptcy Law
4. Criminal Law
5. Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law
6. Family Law
7. Franchise and Distribution Law
8. Immigration and Nationality Law
9. Legal Malpractice Law
10. Taxation Law
11. Workers' Compensation Law

3. How many attorneys are certified in those areas?

Answer: As of January 1, 2009:

Area of Law	#
Family	1133
Workers' Compensation	935
Estate Planning, Trust and Probate	817
Taxation	376
Criminal	358
Appellate	257
Immigration and Nationality	147
Bankruptcy	107
Franchise and Distribution	7

There are no certified Admiralty and Maritime Law specialists or Legal Malpractice Law specialists at this time. The first exam for these specialties will take place in August 2009.

4. How can I find a certified legal specialist?

Answer: The State Bar's Legal Specialist Search will direct you to a list of specialty areas that are certified either by the State Bar or an organization accredited by the State Bar.

5. What areas are certified by accredited organizations?

Answer: 12 areas:

1. Business Bankruptcy Law (American Board of Certification)
2. Consumer Bankruptcy Law (American Board of Certification)
3. Creditors' Rights Law (American Board of Certification)
4. Civil Trial Advocacy (National Board of Trial Advocacy)
5. Criminal Trial Advocacy(National Board of Trial Advocacy)
6. Family Law Trial Advocacy (National Board of Trial Advocacy)
7. Social Security Disability Law (National Board of Trial Advocacy)
8. Elder Law (National Elder Law Foundation)
9. Accounting Malpractice (American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys)
10. Legal Malpractice (American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys)
11. Medical Malpractice (American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys)
12. Juvenile Law (Child Welfare) (National Association of Counsel for Children)

6. I'm a lawyer. Am I eligible to become a certified specialist?

Answer: Are you an active member of the State Bar of California? Have you been engaged in the practice of law in the specialty area during the last five years for at least 25% of the time you have spent in occupational endeavors? If the answer to those questions is yes, you may be eligible for certification. Please visit the Certification page for the general program requirements and the specific requirements for each specialty area.