CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS

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 Lawyer Finder feature (be sure to select an area of practice in the "certified specialist" section).

Certified Specialist Lists

Bankruptcy

Criminal

Estate and Trust

Family Law

Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation

Real Estate

Tax Law

Workers' Compensation Law

If you would prefer to have a list of specialists mailed to you, please call our Resource Center at 602-340-7239.

Details of the Legal Specialization Program

The specialization program started in 1979 with three areas: Tax Law, Workers' Compensation Law and Criminal Law. The most recent addition was in 1997 with Estate & Trust Law. We also certify in Bankruptcy Law, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation.

As a part of the process, peer review is conducted and applicants must pass a written examination (a written exam was instituted in the early 1990s).

To become a certified specialist, in addition to peer review and written examination, an attorney must meet the following requirements:

  • Be admitted to the practice of law for at least 5 years (7 for criminal law and real estate law certification).
  • Be admitted to the State Bar of Arizona for the 2 years immediately preceding submission of the application (3 years for real estate certification)
  • Devote the equivalent of 50% of a full time practice to the specialty area (we call this "substantial involvement"). The State Bar of Arizona's substantial involvement criteria is among the highest in the nation of any certifying program.
  • Demonstrate that the applicant has been substantially involved in the specialty area for 4 of the 6 years immediately preceding submission of the application (5 of 7 for real estate specialists).

Standards for Certification

Use the following links to access the Standards for Certification for each of the eight areas of law.  Printable .pdf versions can be found linked at the top of each of the following pages.

Bankruptcy Law

Criminal Law

Estate and Trust Law

Family Law

Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation

Real Estate Law

Tax Law

Workers' Compensation Law

If you would like more information about the specific requirement of certification, please email the MCLE/BLS Director, or call 602-340-7327.