Attorneys may advertise or identify themselves as “certified specialists” or “specialists” in California only if they are certified either by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization, or an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the State Bar.  Attorneys can only apply for specialist certification if they have been in practice for at least five (5) years and have actual experience in the area of law that the applicant applies.

California attorneys who are certified as specialists must have taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field, which is akin to a one day “mini-bar” examination covering only family law.  Additionally, the attorney must demonstrate a high level of experience in their field, such as having a having conducted a minimum amount of trials, hearings, settlements, stipulations, and mediations.  Attorneys who apply to be certified specialists must complete over forty-five (45) hours of mandatory continuing legal education over a three (3) year period covering specific family law areas rather than the twenty-five (25) hours non-specialist lawyers must complete every three (3) years.  After passing the specialist exam, demonstrating a high level of skill and experience, and after fulfilling the ongoing education requirements, certified specialists must also be favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.

This rigorous process provides consumers assurance that a certified specialist is truly an expert in family law.  Selecting a lawyer is often a difficult task, but the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization has made this task easier by requiring specialists adhere to higher standards of excellence, experience, and education.  By selecting a legal specialist as your family law attorney, you are assured the assistance of a better trained, well qualified attorney, who is experienced in family law matters.

In San Diego County, there are approximately 200 specialists certified by the State Bar of California State Board of Legal Specialization in family law.

The State Bar identifies family law as the practice of law dealing with all aspects of the California Family Code and including, but not limited to, the following: taxation issues incident to family law practice; contempt; enforcement proceedings; mediation and/or negotiation of family law disputes; psychological and counseling aspects of family law; family law writ and appellate practice; post-marital agreements; non-marital domestic relationships; child custody in any forum; and public enforcement of child support.  Legal specialists in family law must prove significant, actual experience in the following areas:

• Restraining orders/domestic violence proceedings;
• Dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or nullity of marriage litigation;
• Custody of children
• Child support;
• Spousal support;
• Modification of support;
• Division of community property;
• Confirmation of separate property;
• Taxation issues incident to dissolution of marriage;
• Contempt and/or enforcement proceedings;
• Mediation and/or negotiation of family law disputes; and
• Psychological and counseling aspects of dissolution of marriage.

For a direct link to the State Bar website containing the formal requirements to become a certified family law specialist, click here. http://rules.calbar.ca.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=8X1vLyj1V1w%3d&tabid=1149