Certification Programs in Bankruptcy Law and Elder Law Accredited by State Bar
The State Bar has accredited the certification programs of the American Board of Certification (ABC) and the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF). Under Rule of Professional Conduct 1-400(D)(6), an attorney may not advertise as a "certified specialist" unless the attorney is certified either by the State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization or another entity accredited by the State Bar. When using the term "certified specialist," the attorney must also identify the certifying body.
The ABC, the result of a merger between the American Board of Bankruptcy Certification and the Commercial Law League of America, certifies attorneys in the areas of creditor’s rights, consumer/personal bankrupcy, and business bankruptcy. NELF certifies attorneys in the area of elder law. Attorneys certified by those organizations may now advertise that fact and will be identified as such in the Parker Directory.
Labor Law Consulting Group Appointed
The State Bar's Board of Governors has appointed a Labor Law Consulting Group to look into the feasibility of, and develop standards for, a specialty in labor law. Labor law was chosen as the next potential area for certification because a survey of active California bar members conducted by the State Bar in 1991 showed that 11.5% of attorneys practicing in the field of labor law at that time fell under the definition of "de facto" specialists, i.e., 80% or more of their practice was devoted to labor law.
Consulting group members are William M. Crosby, Irvine, Louise A. LaMothe, Los Angeles, Barbara A. Lawless, San Francisco, Linda H. McPharlin, San Jose, Linda J. Miller, Sherman Oaks, Arnold Peter, Los Angeles, Philip L. Ross, San Francisco, Roger H. Schnapp, Newport Beach John M. Shield, Walnut Creek, George J. Tichy, San Francisco, and Jonathon M. Turner, Los Angeles.
"Your Legal Rights" Funding Expanded
For the past several years, the Board of Legal Specialization has provided $2,000 in funding annually to Chuck Finney’s NPR program, “Your Legal Rights,” which has, in turn, featured a certified specialist as a guest six times a year. As part of its public awareness campaign, the Board has increased its funding of the program by another $2,000 with the result that a certified specialist will be featured every month. "Your Legal Rights" is based in San Francisco and can be heard every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on KALW, 91.7. If you are interested in being a guest on the program, contact Chuck Finney at 650-363-4097.
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