Rule 9.35. Certified legal specialists

(a) Definition A “certified specialist” is a California attorney who holds a current certificate as a specialist issued by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization or any other entity approved by the State Bar to designate specialists.

(b) State Bar Legal Specialization Program The State Bar must establish and administer a program for certifying legal specialists and may establish a program for certifying entities that certify legal specialists under rules adopted by the Board of Trustees of the State Bar.

(c) Authority to practice law No attorney may be required to obtain certification as a certified specialist as a prerequisite to practicing law in this state. Any attorney, alone or in association with any other attorney, has the right to practice in any field of law in this state and to act as counsel in every type of case, even though he or she is not certified as a specialist.

(d) Failure to comply with program A certified specialist who fails to comply with the requirements of the Legal Specialization Program of the State Bar will have her or his certification suspended or revoked under rules adopted by the Board of Trustees of the State Bar.

(e) Fee and penalty The State Bar has the authority to set and collect appropriate fees and penalties for this program.

(f) Inherent power of Supreme Court Nothing in these rules may be construed as affecting the power of the Supreme Court to exercise its inherent jurisdiction over the practice of law in California.

Committee Notes

(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2019; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(Subd (d) amended effective January 1, 2019; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(Subd (f) amended effective January 1, 2007.)