Los Angeles Office
845 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
www.calbar.ca.gov
San Francisco Office
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
LEGAL SPECIALIZATION POST-EXAMINATION
APPLICATION FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION
When is my application due?
Applicants who have successfully passed the Legal Specialist Examination must submit this
application by April 24 in the year after their results were released (i.e. if passing the 2019
exam, results were released in 2020, so the application will be due April 24, 2021), or submit a
request for an extension to [email protected] by the due date.
The most common reason for an extension is to gain the five required years of practice in the
specialty. Extensions cannot be granted beyond January 31 in the third year after receiving
results (i.e. if passing the 2019 exam, results were released in 2020, so the maximum extension
date is January 31, 2023).
Have I included the correct fee?
A $300* processing fee, payable either via check or credit card to the State Bar of California, is
due with the application.
What happens if I don’t fill out my application correctly?
If your application is incomplete or if any information provided is insufficient, you will receive
notice to correct the deficiency. If you fail to correct the deficiency within 60 days from the date
of the notice, the application shall be deemed withdrawn without a refund of the fee. We may
request additional or supplemental nonconfidential information in order to show compliance
with recertification requirements.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SELECTED QUESTIONS AND ATTACHMENTS
APPLICATION FORM
Personal Information
Enter your official State Bar name and address of record. This is the information that appears in
State Bar Licensee Records. Use the State Bar's Attorney Search to verify the information is
current. If the information is not current, you must update your information pursuant to
Business and Professions Code section 6002.1, through My State Bar Profile.
OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS
180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
[email protected]
415-538-2120
Bankruptcy Law Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification - Page 1 of 16
Please be aware that all correspondence will be sent to you at your official address of record
registered in the Applicant Portal.
Discipline
Section 3.113 of the Rules provides that the California Board of Legal Specialization may take
the following into account in considering your application:
Final disciplinary actions imposed for professional misconduct by any court or body before
whom you appear. Include: (1) title of disciplinary action; (2) action number; (3) nature of
charge; (4) nature of sanction; (5) date sanction was imposed; and (6) date sanction was
terminated. For nonattorney professional discipline (e.g., accountancy), provide information
similar to above.
Felony convictions. Provide the case number, title, date of conviction, and where it was filed.
Resignation from any State Bar, court, or body before whom you appear. Provide the name of
the entity, the effective resignation date, and the reason.
Judgments of professional negligence. Include only if there were three or more judgments
against you during the certification term. Provide the case number, title, date judgment was
rendered, and where it was filed.
Sanctions. Include only sanctions, other than discovery sanctions, of $1,000 or more. Provide a
copy of the order.
Findings of contempt. Provide a copy of the findings.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Task and Experience Requirement
Refer to the Standards for your specialty area for the specific requirements.
B. Education Requirement
Applicants are required to show proof of 45 hours of LSCLE in their specialty area, taken
within the three years immediately preceding submission of this application.
C. References
When listing a reference, please include the attorney’s bar number. Use the Attorney Search
to find an attorney(s) or judge's bar number.
Bankruptcy Law Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification - Page 2 of 16
CHECKLIST
Have you:
Read the declaration?
Provided all information requested on the application and attachments?
Signed and dated the application?
Attached additional sheets if you needed more space?
Put your name on the top of all attachments?
Made copies for your records?
Enclosed a check/payment information for the appropriate recertification fee*?
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Mail to: Fax to:
415-538-2180 The State Bar of California
Legal Specialization
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
RESOURCES
• Please refer to the Standards for your specialty area as you complete the application
and attachments.
• The Rules, Standards, and list of approved legal specialization education providers are
available online at http://www.calbar.ca.gov/.
• The application and payment can alternatively be submitted in the Admissions Applicant
Portal (Applicant Portal) at https://admissions.calbar.ca.gov. NOTE that all California
licensees already have an account on the Applicant Portal, which is separate from your
login credentials for My State Bar Profile. You should not create or register a new
applicant portal account. Please see our Applicant Portal FAQs or let us know by
emailing us at [email protected] if you have any questions or need assistance
logging in.
• Interested applicants who have not passed a legal specialist examination should visit
https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Legal-Specialization for up-to-date examination
information and to review the rules and standards applicable to your specialty area.
*You may submit payment of the $300 processing fee via check or credit card.
All unsuccessful payments will be assessed on administrative fee equal to the amount charged
by the State Bar's banking institution or $20, whichever is greater.
For credit card payments, a processing fee of 2.5 percent will be added to all charges. There is
no processing fee associated with payments by check
Bankruptcy Law Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification - Page 3 of 16
Los Angeles Office
845 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
www.calbar.ca.gov
San Francisco Office
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
POST-EXAMINATION APPLICATION FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION
Bankruptcy Law Certified Specialist
Filing Fee - $300*
*You may submit payment via check or credit card.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: Bar Number:
Phone:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
It is your responsibility to inform the Legal Specialization Unit in the Office of Admissions of
any address changes. All correspondence will be sent to the current information on file in the
Admissions Applicant Portal. We will update your email to the email provided below.
However, you may also change your address, email and/or telephone number on your own by
logging into the Admissions Applicant Portal and updating your profile.
NOTE: The Applicant Portal is separate from your My State Bar Profile, and requires different
login credentials. You should not create or register a new account. Please email Legal
Specialization at [email protected] for assistance logging into your account.
Email Address:
POST-EXAM ELIGIBILITY
I passed the Legal Specialist Examination administered in October (year).
IF YOU HAVE NOT PASSED THE EXAM, STOP HERE. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS
180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
[email protected]
415-538-2120
Bankruptcy Law Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification - Page 4 of 16
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
List all jurisdictions in which you are licensed or have been licensed to practice law:
Jurisdiction Bar/ID Number Date Admitted
List any professional licenses or legal certification(s) you may have previously obtained:
Professional Organization Professional License (i.e. CPA) Date Licensed/Certified
PRACTICE REQUIREMENT
Check the box below that applies to your time in practice in the specialty area, adding
additional documentation if requested:
I have practiced law continuously for the last five years, during which I devoted an
average of at least 25% of the time to practice in the specialty area.
While I have had breaks in practice over the last five years, I have practiced law for at
least five years, and have devoted an average of at least 25% of the time to practice in
the specialty area during at least five years (Please attach a letter summarizing your
time in practice, including the nature and frequency of practice in the specialty area).
I have not yet practiced in the specialty area for five years, but I believe I have met the
remaining requirements for certification in the specialty area, and I understand that
while processing on my file will begin, certification will not take place until I have been
practicing in the specialty area for at least five years for at least 25% of the time. (Please
attach a letter summarizing your time in practice, including the nature and frequency of
practice in the specialty area).
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
The following is a complete statement of my employment since my admission to practice law.
List most recent employment first. ATTACH SEPARATE SHEETS IF NECESSARY.
Check here if additional sheets are attached.
Bankruptcy Law Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification - Page 5 of 16
Dates of Employment Employer Address
Nature of Employment
(summarize nature of
work performed)
DISCIPLINE
Since your admission to the State Bar of California:
Have you been disbarred, suspended or disciplined by the State Bar of
California or similar attorney disciplinary authority or any other authority
that imposes professional discipline in California, or in another state or
jurisdiction, including a foreign jurisdiction?
Yes No
Do you have any discipline charges pending as described above?
Yes No
Have you had any felony convictions?
Yes No
Did you resign from any bar, court or body before whom you appear?
Yes No
Have there been three or more judgments of professional negligence
against you? (If yes, please attach the relevant documents.)
Yes No
Have any sanctions, other than discovery sanctions, been entered against
you by any court or body before whom you appear?
Yes No
Have any findings of contempt been made against you by any court or
body before whom you appear?
Yes No
IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, YOU MUST PROVIDE FULL DETAILS ON A
SEPARATE SHEET. A record of discipline or failure to disclose any of the information
requested above may constitute grounds for denial of your application.
Bankruptcy Law Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification - Page 6 of 16
DECLARATION
I hereby authorize all educational institutions, governmental agencies and instrumentalities
(including bar associations and bar examiners of other jurisdictions), employers and business
and professional associates (past and present), to release to the State Bar of California Board of
Legal Specialization ("CBLS") and/or its agents or advisors any non-privileged information, files
or records requested by them for the purpose of processing this application. The foregoing
release does not apply to matters communicated by me in confidence to any lawyer, spouse,
physician, psychotherapist or clergyperson for which I have privilege of nondisclosure under the
provisions of Chapter 4, Division 8 of the California Evidence Code.
I further authorize the CBLS to conduct independent inquiry and review, including contacting
the references I provide and other references within the discretion of the CBLS and agree that
neither I nor my agents will seek to review the materials collected during the evaluation of my
application.
I agree to pay all fees required by the CBLS, as described in the Rules of the State Bar, Appendix
A: Schedule of Charges and Deadlines.
I agree to abide by all rules and regulations of the CBLS as amended from time to time and to
furnish to the CBLS such information as it may require, to evaluate my application.
I am the applicant herein for certification as a specialist under the State Bar of California
Program for Certifying Legal Specialists.
I fully understand that failure to make a truthful disclosure of any fact, item or information
required may result in the denial of my application, revocation of my certificate of
specialization, or disciplinary action by the State Bar of California.
I have carefully read and answered each question completely and truthfully in the foregoing
application and any attachments hereto, and certify that the information therein is true and
correct to the best of my knowledge.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is
true and correct and that this declaration is executed on:
Date:
Print Name:
Signature:
Bankruptcy Law Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification - Page 7 of 16
BANKRUPTCY LAW CERTIFICATION
Attachment A – Task and Experience Requirement
Applicant Name: Bar Number:
The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization may require additional evidence of completion of
the tasks and experience as indicated in this Attachment A.
Within the five years immediately preceding submission of this application, I have had principal
responsibility for representation of, and have personally appeared on behalf of, a client or clients in 100 or
more chapter 7, 11, 12 or 13 bankruptcy cases, contested matters, and/or adversary proceedings under
the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
TYPE OF CASE NUMBER OF MATTERS
Chapter 7
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
TOTAL (must be 100 or more)
To supplement this information, attach a narrative statement of the significant bankruptcy matters
you have handled during the past five years. Your description should be complete enough to allow the
State Bar to understand fully the nature and extent of your bankruptcy practice. The descriptions may be
brief but should specify in detail the bankruptcy issues involved. For each narrative statement, identify
the number of the corresponding activity from the list below.
ACTIVITY NUMBER OF MATTERS
Party in an adversary proceeding
Moving party or a named respondent in any
contested matter
Debtor in a voluntary or involuntary case
Petitioning creditor in an involuntary case
Representation of a Committee of Creditors
Representation of a trustee
TOTAL
Bankruptcy Law Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification - Page 8 of 16
Other Experience
If you are unable to meet any part of the requirement above, you must submit other experience
demonstrating substantial compliance with the requirements. Please describe the nature of your practice.
Include detailed information regarding your experience as it relates to the foregoing requirements.
I am submitting alternative or additional forms of bankruptcy practice for consideration in fulfilling the
requirements of substantial involvement. ATTACH SEPARATE SHEET IF NECESSARY
Bankruptcy Law Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification - Page 9 of 16
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
# HOURS
REQUESTED
4. Completion of an advanced postgraduate course at an accredited law school that
includes education in your specialty, such as an LL.M.
The hours of credit to be allowed shall be determined by the CBLS based upon the
amount and quality of professional education involved. Note that this option can be
used to fully satisfy your educational requirement and it is not subject to the cap
noted above.
NAME OF LAW SCHOOL:
COURSE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED:
5. Teaching a course in the specialty area at an accredited law school.
The hours of credit to be allowed shall be determined by the CBLS based upon the
amount and quality of professional education involved. If teaching a course as an
adjunct or guest lecturer, claim four hours per speaking hour. If serving as the
course professor, claim twelve hours per credit hour. Note that this option can be
used to fully satisfy your educational requirement and it is not subject to the cap
noted above.
NAME OF INSTITUTION:
NAME OF COURSE:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
AUDIENCE (LAW STUDENTS, ATTORNEYS, ETC):
DATE COMPLETED:
LEGAL SPECIALIST CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION
Attachment B – Total Educational Reporting
Applicant Name: Bar Number:
In order to satisfy the education requirement for initial certification, you must have completed at least 45
hours of education in the substantive area as described below within the three years immediately
preceding submission of this application. One-half, or 22.5 hours, may be satisfied with alternative
educational activities, sometimes also called non-participatory activities, in which your participation is not
verified by an independent party such as the educational provider.
ON ATTACHMENT B-1*, list the educational activities pre-approved for Legal Specialist Continuing Legal
Education (LSCLE) credit in the specialty area that you have attended or taught. Refer to Attachment B-1
for the type of documentation required.
ON ATTACHMENT B-2*, list the educational activities you have attended or taught that were not
specifically approved for LSCLE credit, but were approved for MCLE credit and concern the direct legal
subject matter in the specialty area. Refer to Attachment B-2 for a further explanation and the type
of documentation required.
ON ATTACHMENT B-3, list any alternative educational activities that you have completed to satisfy the
education requirement. Keep in mind that, with the exception of approved tapes, hours claimed for
alternative educational activities are subject to approval and/or adjustment by the CBLS.
REMEMBER: Courses taken to fulfill the MCLE special topic requirements (legal ethics, substance
abuse/competency, elimination of bias) CANNOT be used to satisfy the education requirement for
certification unless they specifically discuss the substantive law of the specialty area.
Summarize your hours in the grid provided below.
SUMMARY OF EDUCATION ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING ALTERNATIVES)
HOURS ATTENDED OR
TAUGHT**
(total from B-1 + B-2)
HOURS OF
ALTERNATIVE
EDUCATION
(total from B-3)
TOTAL
(minimum of 45 hours)
*YOU MUST SUBMIT A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE FOR EACH COURSE BEING CLAIMED ON
ATTACHMENTS B-1 & B-2. Applications received without certificates, or missing certificates, will be
considered incomplete. Please note that the provider is required to give you a certificate of attendance.
If you did not receive a certificate, contact the provider directly.
**You may claim four hours for each hour that you taught a new or substantially updated course.
LEGAL SPECIALIST CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION
Attachment B-1 – Education Approved for LSCLE Credit
Applicant Name: Bar Number:
On this attachment, list the educational activities you have attended or taught that were specifically
pre-approved for legal specialist credit. Providers of approved LSCLE activities are subject to the same
requirements as MCLE providers, so you should have been provided with a certificate of attendance
indicating that the activity was approved for LSCLE credit and stating the number of hours of credit you
received.
COPY THIS ATTACHMENT OR PROVIDE A SIMILAR TABLE IF ADDITIONAL LINES ARE NEEDED BELOW.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR EACH ACTIVITY: Certificate of attendance. The provider is required to
give you a certificate of attendance. If you did not receive a certificate, contact the provider directly.
NAME OF PROGRAM
SPONSOR OR
APPROVED PROVIDER
NAME OF PROGRAM
HOURS
ATTENDED
HOURS
TAUGHT
1
st
TIME*
HOURS
TAUGHT
REPEAT*
DATE
COMPLETED
*Calculate credit for teaching as follows: Under Hours Taught First Time, record the actual number of hours
of speaking time multiplied by four. On that same line, if there was also a portion of the class in which
another speaker was teaching, claim actual hours for that time. If it was a repeat presentation that you
have taught before with the same content, you may claim only actual speaking time. In that case, record
your hours under Hours Attended.
LEGAL SPECIALIST CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION
Attachment B-2 – Education Approved for MCLE Credit Only
Applicant Name: Bar Number:
On this attachment, list the educational activities you have attended that were approved for MCLE credit
and specifically teaching the law of your specialty areas, but NOT specifically pre-approved for LSCLE
credit. The CBLS has discretion as to whether to approve these courses.
COPY THIS ATTACHMENT OR PROVIDE A SIMILAR TABLE IF ADDITIONAL LINES ARE NEEDED BELOW.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR EACH ACTIVITY: Certificate of attendance, plus sufficient information
for the CBLS to determine whether credit should be granted if the title and program sponsor do not make
this clear (for example, promotional materials, a brief description of the program, course outline, list of
instructors).
NAME OF PROGRAM
SPONSOR OR
APPROVED PROVIDER
NAME OF PROGRAM
HOURS
ATTENDED
HOURS
TAUGHT
1
st
TIME*
HOURS
TAUGHT
REPEAT*
DATE
COMPLETED
*Calculate credit for teaching as follows: Under Hours Taught First Time, record the actual number of hours
of speaking time multiplied by four. On that same line, if there was also a portion of the class in which
another speaker was teaching, claim actual hours for that time. If it was a repeat presentation that you
have taught before with the same content, you may claim only actual speaking time. In that case, record
your hours under Hours Attended.
LEGAL SPECIALIST CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION
Attachment B-3 – Alternative Education
Applicant Name: Bar Number:
On this attachment, list the alternative methods you used to satisfy the LSCLE requirement. Your
participation in these activities is self-verified, so the provider does not provide a certificate of attendance.
Remember that no more than one-half (1/2) of your requirement can be satisfied in this manner, except
for course under options 4 and 5.
Note that webinars and tapes can sometimes be participatory activities that should be reported on B-1 or
B-2 if they involve some sort of independent verification of attendance, such as a test during or after the
class; in this case, the provider will provide a certificate of attendance.
If you are submitting activities that require CBLS approval, please provide sufficient information to allow
evaluation of the self-study. Reading of treatises on your own is generally not approved.
The CBLS may require additional information regarding alternative education activities.
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
# HOURS
REQUESTED
1. Self-verified listening to and/or viewing of a complete audio or audio/visual
reproduction of a program approved for legal specialist credit or MCLE credit if the
subject is your substantive area of law. Such tapes must involve current law.
LIST THE ACTIVITIES AND HOURS REQUESTED FOR EACH ON A SEPARATE SHEET.
2. Self-verified participation in MCLE-approved audiovisual activities, including
interactive video instruction or webinars, if the subject is your substantive area of law.
LIST THEACTIVITIES AND HOURS REQUESTED FOR EACH ON A SEPARATE SHEET.
3. Authoring or co-authoring published articles, chapters or books in the substantive
area of law. PLEASE SUBMIT A COPY OF THE MATERIALS FOR WHICH YOU ARE
CLAIMING CREDIT. Credit generally will not be awarded for reading or editing.
The hours of credit to be allowed shall be determined by the CBLS after
consideration of the amount and quality of the submitted materials. Estimate the
time you spend preparing the materials, up to a maximum of half of your total
educational requirement as noted above.
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
REFERENCE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION
Attachment C – Independent Inquiry and Review
Applicant Name: Bar Number:
Please submit the names of a minimum of three attorneys or judges who have had an opportunity to
observe your work and who can attest to your proficiency in the practice of the specialty area under the
laws applicable to the specialty in California.
To expedite your application, please include the following among your references if possible: opposing
counsel, attorneys from other firms, and judges, commissioners, or magistrates before whom you have
appeared. References may include attorneys who are clients, partners, associates, employers, or
employees. Note, however, that references will be asked to disclose any such relationship.
References will be contacted by the State Bar of California via electronic questionnaire. The information
gathered shall be the property of the State Bar of California and shall not be revealed to you.
Include each reference’s California bar number to ensure that reference forms are sent promptly and
to the right individual. Bar numbers can be found online at www.calbar.ca.gov under Attorney Search.
If the reference does not have a California Bar number, is a judge, or licensed in another state, please
provide a full address.
NAME AND BAR NUMBER ADDRESS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
LEGAL SPECIALIZATION APPLICATION
Payment Authorization Form
State Bar Number:
Applicant's Full Name:
Mailing Address:
Telephone: Email:
DESCRIPTION FEE
Legal Specialization Post-Examination Application for Initial Certification Fee $300
Legal Specialization Application for Recertification Fee $350
TOTAL*
For credit card payments, a processing fee of 2.5 percent will be added to all charges. There
is no processing fee associated with payments by check.
All unsuccessful payments will be assessed on administrative fee equal to the amount
charged by the State Bar's banking institution or $20, whichever is greater.
This form may not be used to pay dues or other licensee fees; it may only be used to pay fees
associated to the Legal Specialization program. Please print legibly.
Personal/Cashier’s Check or Money Order
(Make checks payable to The State Bar of California)
Credit Card
Credit Card Number:
Credit Card Security Code: Expiration Date (Month/Year):
Credit Card Type: American Express Discover MasterCard Visa
Name on Card:
Signature of Card Holder: Date:
By my signature on this document, I/we authorize the State Bar of California to charge
my/our credit card account for the amount listed in the ‘Total’ box above.