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Seal of The State Bar of California The State Bar of California

California Board of Legal Specialization

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This board administers the State Bar of California Program for Certifying Legal Specialists, with the assistance of 11 specialty Advisory Commissions. This program was created by the California Supreme Court to promote attorney competence and provide consumers with an independent means to verify an attorney’s qualifications. 

The CBLS recommends program rules and provides policies and guidelines for certification of specialists; develops testing and legal education criteria for specialists; and advises the Board of Trustees on establishment of specialty fields and appointment of advisory commissions. The Advisory Commissions assist the CBLS with the drafting and grading of the legal specialist examinations. The CBLS consists of 12 attorney members from a wide range of practice areas, at least 10 of whom must be certified specialists, and three non-lawyer public members. Each Advisory Commission consists of eight attorneys experienced in the specialty area, plus one non-lawyer public member. Terms are four years.

Time commitment: Six meetings per year

Advisory commissions


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