Legal Specialization

Legal Specialization

The State Bar certifies attorneys as specialists who have demonstrated proficiency in specified areas of law.

California Rule of Court 9.35 served as the basis for the creation of the State Bar Legal Specialization program. The program was intended to provide a method for attorneys to earn the designation of certified specialist in particular areas of law, increasing public protection and encouraging attorney competence.

The program was the first of its kind in the United States, and it has served as a model for other state programs for certifying legal specialists around the nation.

What it means to be certified legal specialist

A certified legal specialist is an attorney who has demonstrated proficiency in a specific area of law. Attorneys may advertise as certified specialists or use the legal specialist logo on their website only if certified directly by the State Bar of California.

Generally, to become a certified specialist attorneys must: 

  1. Pass a written examination in the legal specialty area,
  2. Have practiced law continuously for at least five years, spending at least 25 percent of their legal work practicing in the specialty area, 
  3. Complete continuing education in the specialty area greater than that required of general licensees of the State Bar, and 
  4. Demonstrate broad and comprehensive experience in the specialty area by completing a variety of matters in the specialty area.

What are the benefits of certified specialization?

  • Certified specialist have demonstrated proficiency in one of 11 areas of law 
  • Only certified specialists can be searched by practice area on the State Bar’s website attorney search tool 
  • Certified specialists have access to a State Bar approved special seal and State Bar produced brochures explaining “What Can A Certified Specialist Do for You?” 
  • Certified specialists are recognized as leaders in their field, which may lead to speaking engagements, media interviews, or referrals.

Requirements

The general requirements to become a certified specialist include:

  • Passage of a written examination in the legal specialty area
  • Practiced law continuously for at least five years, spending at least 25 percent of the time given to occupational endeavors practicing in the specialty area
  • Completion of continuing education in the specialty area greater than that required of general licensees of the State Bar
  • Demonstration of a broad-based and comprehensive experience in the specialty area based on completion of a variety of matters in the specialty area
  • Favorable evaluations by other attorneys and judges familiar with the attorney's work in the specialty area of law

Find more information on the Becoming a Certified Specialist page.

The State Bar of California must approve each attorney’s application. Organizations whose certification program is State Bar-accredited can also certify attorneys, but their certification requirements must equal or exceed those of the State Bar of California’s program. 

Once certified, specialists must maintain their certification by: 

  • paying the Legal Specialization Program Annual Fee each year;
  • reporting compliance of the education requirement by completing 36 hours of LSCLE every three years, due at the same time as their MCLE reporting date; and
  • reporting compliance of the task & experience and reference requirements by recertifying in five years.

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