Why you should be represented by a certified specialist
Certified specialists in any field are not only experienced and well-trained attorneys in their field of expertise, but are required to fulfill stringent continuing legal education requirements and take and pass a very difficult and lengthy examination to ensure that they are current with the law and have good reasoning and writing skills. They also have to re-certify every few years and keep their practice focused predominately in their particular field of expertise.
Certified specialists in family law are a unique group of practitioners. Family law specialists must have significant knowledge and expertise in areas outside the arena of family law. They must have general knowledge of federal and state tax and estate planning laws and procedures. They must be familiar with bankruptcy procedures and federal bankruptcy laws. They must know social security law and, to some extent, federal securities laws. In addition, many California family law practitioners are familiar with the laws in other states and countries, because so often people live or come from or have property in other states or countries. Furthermore, they have to be completely familiar with the Hague Convention and the protocols with the non-signing countries if they are ever involved in the ever-prevalent child abduction cases. More than any other area of practice, they have to devote a significant amount of time, money and energy to obtain the latest information in all of these areas order to properly represent their clients. Being certified means that they have done all of that.
Just as we would not recommend a doctor or a contractor that was not board certified, we would not recommend a lawyer that was not licensed in his or her specialty, if he or she has the opportunity to become licensed in that particular specialty. The non-certified lawyer may be just fine, but why take the chance when you know there is a list of specialists from which to choose. You might say, "But won't they be more expensive?" Actually, we have surveyed and found that it really makes little difference whether or not a lawyer is certified as to how much he or she charges. In fact, it matters more in what location the lawyer practices, how many years in practice she or he has been, if the lawyer has particularly excelled in a particular case or has published or otherwise achieved fame, and that sort of thing.
Our organization, the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, comprises the bulk of certified family law specialists in the State of California. By joining this prestigious organization we show our commitment to excellence in our field. It also shows our need and willingness to reach out to the community, find out what our potential clients would like to see from us and thus allow us to improve our lawyer-client relationships as well as our lawyer to lawyer and lawyer to judge relationships.
We hope you will take the opportunity to comment on our Web Site and on communications which you have had with any of our members so that we might better be able to serve you in the future. We appreciate your taking the time to browse our Web Site and hope that this Web Site will help you make an intelligent decision about how to proceed with your family law needs.