A Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) is a lawyer who has been certified by the State Bar of California as having expertise and experience in the field of family law. To become a CFLS, a lawyer must meet certain requirements, including:
1. Minimum years of experience: The lawyer must have practiced law for at least five years, with at least three of those years spent practicing family law.
2. Education and training: The lawyer must have completed a minimum of 45 hours of continuing legal education in family law, and must have completed a minimum of 30 contested family law matters.
3. Exams: The lawyer must pass a written examination in family law, and must demonstrate a high level of knowledge and experience in the field.
4. Peer review: The lawyer must be evaluated by other attorneys and judges in the field of family law, who must attest to the lawyer's expertise and experience.
Once a lawyer has met these requirements, they can apply to become a CFLS. Certification is voluntary and is granted by the State Bar of California. CFLS certification is intended to help individuals seeking legal assistance in family law matters identify lawyers who have expertise and experience in the field.
It is important that you retain a CFLS for your family law matter to ensure you have a lawyer who specializes only in family law. The certification shows that the lawyer knows family law, has the respect of the legal community, and will ensure you are represented to the maximum extent the law allows.