Some do. And the State Bar has a program
designed to help you find skilled specialists.
Lawyers can become State Bar-certified specialists
(and advertise themselves as such) by passing a
written examination, demonstrating a high level of
experience in the specialty, fulfilling ongoing educa-
tion requirements and being favorably evaluated.
Currently, the State Bar certifies lawyers in 11 spe-
cialties: admiralty and maritime law; appellate law;
bankruptcy law; criminal law; estate planning, trust
and probate law; family law (divorce, custody, and
related issues); franchise and distribution law; immi-
gration and nationality law; legal malpractice law;
taxation law; and workers’ compensation law.
The State Bar also accredits the certification
programs of private certifying organizations in:
civil trial advocacy, criminal trial advocacy, fami-
ly law trial advocacy, business bankruptcy law,
consumer bankruptcy law, creditors’ rights law,
elder law, Social Security disability law, legal
malpractice, medical malpractice, and juvenile
law (child welfare). Lawyers certified by these
organizations may also advertise as “certified”
specialists. Keep in mind, however, that there are
lawyers with experience in all of these legal areaswho simply do not seek certification.
For an online list of State Bar-certified special-
ists, visit www.californiaspecialist.org and go to
Specialist Search. Or contact the State Bar’s Office of
Certification at 415-538-2120.
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