Bankruptcy Law

APPLY TO BECOME A CERTIFIED SPECIALIST

Certification is a two part process, and the parts can be completed in any order:

Part One: 
1.  Register for the legal specialist examination on October 22, 2013 in Pasadena or South San Francisco. The application deadline is September 10, 2013 or until a particular test center's spaces are full.  Late applications may be accepted until October 15, 2013 with the appropriate late fee. 

2. Access a free Bankruptcy Law Legal Specialist Examination Preparation Packet including key facts, the topics that can be tested on the examination, and all released essay questions.  No multiple-choice questions are released.  If you wish to take a preparation course, scroll below to see if the Legal Specialization Department is aware of a preparation course being offered in this area of law.

Part Two:

1. Started practicing after January 2012?  You'll be eligible to register for the examination in 2015, but you can still work on the other requirements now.  Use a Sample Post-Examination Application or the program rules listed below to track your experience, education and references.  You can fulfill these requirements before and/or after you take the examination.  

Prep Courses

An ongoing study group and preparation class takes place in southern California.  Contact attorney Dennis McGoldrick for more information.

"How to Become a Bankruptcy Law Certified Specialist" is available for purchase on DVD by contacting PJ Stratton at the Beverly Hills Bar Association at 310-601-2422.

Note: The Department of Legal Specialization is not affiliated with this preparation class or any commercial preparation class and derives no financial benefit from any educational provider. The Department provides this information solely for your convenience. 

Rules and Standards

 The standards must be read in conjunction with the Rules Governing the State Bar of California Program for Certifying Legal Specialists, which govern the program requirements.

Testing Accommodations

Click here to access the application for testing accommodations for qualified individuals during the examination.  Note that you must also still register for the examination using the form above and in accordance with the standard deadlines for registration.

CURRENT CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS

RECERTIFICATION: Applications are due every five years after the initial certification date. Please click here to download a Recertification Application.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THOSE WHO PASSED THE 2011 LEGAL SPECIALIST EXAMINATION

Passing the examination is the first step in the certification process.  Post Examination Applications were due on April 25, 2013.  If you need an extension for good cause shown, such as completing five years' experience in your area of legal specialty, please draft a letter to the California Board of Legal Specialization at 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 or e-mail the letter to legalspec@calbar.ca.gov.

Contact Us

Questions? Contact the Department of Legal Specialization at legalspec@calbar.ca.gov or at 415-538-2120. If speech- or hearing-impaired, call 711 for telecommunications relay services.