Why Use a Certified Legal Specialist

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When seeking legal representation, choosing an attorney with verified expertise can make a significant difference.

What is a certified legal specialist?

A certified legal specialist is an attorney who has:

Passed a rigorous examination in a specific area of law;
Practiced law for at least five years, spending at least 25 percent of their legal work practicing in the specialty area;
Completed additional continuing legal education in the specialty beyond the standard requirements;
Received favorable evaluations from peers and judges familiar with their work; and
Demonstrated comprehensive experience by handling a variety of matters in the specialty area.

These requirements are established by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization to ensure high standards of competence and professionalism.

Why does the State Bar certify legal specialists?

To help the public identify attorneys who have demonstrated proficiency in specialized fields of law.
To encourage the maintenance and improvement of attorney competence in specialized fields of law.

Benefits of hiring a certified legal specialist

Verified expertise: Confirms the attorney's proficiency in a particular area of law.
Focused experience: Specialists dedicate a significant portion of their practice to their certified field, providing expertise and deep insight.
Peer recognition: Certification process includes evaluations from other attorneys or judges, reflecting the specialist's reputation in the legal community.
Enhanced trust: Confidence in the specialist's ability to handle complex legal issues.

Finding a certified legal specialist

The State Bar of California cannot make attorney referrals. However, a list of certified specialists is available by using our attorney search tool and following the steps below:

Navigate to the State Bar's attorney search tool and make sure you select the certified specialists link (highlighted below).

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A dropdown will appear where you will be able to select the legal specialty.
After selecting the legal specialty, select the Advanced Search button and a list of certified legal specialists in that specialty will appear.

If you have any questions about the State Bar's Certified Legal Specialization program, please submit a Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form. Be sure to select Member of the public under Tell us who you are and select Legal Specialization under Topic. See graphic below.

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