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May 11, 2008 - search this site

Find a Certified Specialist
To find an attorney in any one of our eight areas of specialization, click the links below to access a PDF version of the list(s) in which you are interested. You can also search our Member Finder feature (be sure to select an area of practice in the "Certified Specialist" section).

Applications for certification and recertification are mailed in late April every year, and are due by August 1. Exams are held the following winter. For example, if you are an initial applicant, we'll need to have your application by August 1, if you intend to sit for the exams held from January through April.

Recertification applications are mailed automatically, approximately 18 months prior to the expiration of the member's current certification.
If you are interested in becoming a certified specialist, please call the MCLE/BLS Administrator at 602-340-7327, and ask to have your name put on the list. More than 750 Arizona lawyers are currently certified, and are called Certified Specialists. Annually, the Legal Specialization department distributes over 29,000 lists of specialists. That's about 80 a day!

General Requirements for Certification In order to apply for certification, a member needs to meet the following minimum standards:

  • Admission to the practice of law for 5 years (7 for Criminal Law and Real Estate Law)
  • Admission to the State Bar of Arizona for 2 years immediately preceding submission of the application (3 years for Real Estate)
  • Devotion of at least 50% of a full time practice to the speciality area
  • Substantial involvement in the certification area for 4 of the 6 years immediately preceding submission of the application (5 of 7 years for Real Estate)

Additionally, peer review is conducted and a written examination must be passed.

Click below for .pdf versions of the Legal Specialization Rules and the applications and standards for each area of certification.

Legal Specialization Rules and Regulations

Standards for Certification
Bankruptcy Law
Criminal Law
Estate & Trust Law
Family Law
Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Workers' Compensation Law

     Applications for Initial Certification
Bankruptcy Law
Criminal Law
Estate & Trust Law
Family Law
Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Workers' Compensation Law
      Applications for Recertification
Bankruptcy Law
Criminal Law
Estate & Trust Law
Family Law
Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Workers' Compensation Law