Certified Family Law Specialists (CFLS)

Many of our clients ask, “What is a California “certified” legal specialist?”

Attorneys may advertise or identify themselves as “certified” specialists in California only if they are certified either by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, or an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the State Bar (such an organization must have requirements for certification that are at least equal to those of the State Bar’s program.)  The California state bar’s certification program has numerous requirements that can viewed directly here. 

Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Finkbeiner are both California State Bar Certified Family Law Specialists.

California attorneys who are certified as specialists must have taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrated a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfilled ongoing education requirements, and been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.

As of January 1, 2009, there are only 1,133 certified specialists in the family law area in the entire State of California.  As of the same date, there are 161 family law specialists in San Diego County and 117 in Orange County.

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.

In addition to the requisite experience requirements, a certified family law specialist must participate in a significant amount of education and training, and must pass a difficult written examination.