What It Means to Be a California Criminal Law Specialist
When someone searches for a California Criminal Law Specialist, they are typically facing a serious investigation or prosecution and want more than a general practitioner. They want demonstrated expertise.
In California, the title “Certified Criminal Law Specialist” is not a marketing label. It is a formal designation awarded by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization to attorneys who have proven advanced knowledge, substantial courtroom experience, peer-recognized competence, and ongoing dedication to criminal law.
The requirements are demanding. The process is rigorous. And the distinction is rare.
Stanley L. Friedman became certified as a Criminal Law Specialist in 2005 and has been certified or recertified by the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization in 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025. Because recertification is required every five years, he has continuously maintained specialist status from 2010 through the present.
The Requirements to Become a Certified Criminal Law Specialist in California
To become a California Criminal Law Specialist, an attorney must first be an active member in good standing with the State Bar of California. The lawyer cannot be under disciplinary suspension or probation and must maintain full active status throughout the certification process.
Next, the attorney must demonstrate significant practice experience. The State Bar requires continuous practice for at least five years. During that period, at least twenty-five percent of the attorney’s practice must be devoted specifically to criminal law. This ensures that certification is reserved for lawyers whose work is genuinely concentrated in the criminal law specialty area.
An applicant must also pass the written Criminal Law Legal Specialist Examination administered by the State Bar. This is not the general bar examination. It is a focused, advanced test designed to measure deep understanding of criminal procedure, constitutional protections, evidentiary rules, sentencing frameworks, and substantive criminal statutes.
In addition to passing the examination, the attorney must complete at least forty-five hours of State Bar-approved specialist continuing legal education in criminal law or a closely related field within the required timeframe, typically the three years preceding certification. Not all CLE programs qualify. Courses must be specifically approved for specialist credit.
The attorney must also satisfy detailed task and experience requirements. This typically involves serving as principal counsel in a variety of criminal matters, including jury trials, contested evidentiary hearings, substantive motions, and other complex proceedings. The Board of Legal Specialization evaluates whether the attorney’s experience reflects meaningful responsibility in significant criminal cases.
Finally, the applicant must provide favorable references from judges and attorneys familiar with the lawyer’s criminal law practice. These references assess professional competence, ethics, courtroom skill, and reputation within the legal community.
Each of these elements is independently reviewed before certification is granted.
Recertification: Maintaining Specialist Status
Becoming a California Criminal Law Specialist is only the beginning. Certification must be renewed every five years.
Recertification requires the attorney to remain an active California lawyer in good standing. The specialist must complete ongoing approved continuing legal education requirements. The attorney must also demonstrate continued compliance with task and experience standards, showing sustained involvement in criminal matters during the preceding five-year period.
Updated references from judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys must again be submitted to confirm current proficiency and ethical standing.
This recurring review ensures that Certified Criminal Law Specialists remain actively engaged in the field and maintain the high standards originally required for certification.
How Rare Is a California Criminal Law Specialist?
California licenses nearly 270,000 attorneys. Approximately 196,000 of those lawyers are currently on active status.
As of today, there are only 285 Certified Specialists in Criminal Law in the entire state.
That represents a fraction of one percent of active California attorneys.
The designation is not automatic and cannot be self-awarded. It is earned through examination, peer review, documented courtroom experience, and verified continuing education. And it must be maintained through periodic recertification.
Leadership in the Certification Process
When Mr. Friedman first became a Certified Specialist, the certification system itself was overseen by the State Bar’s Criminal Law Advisory Commission. This Commission drafted the specialist examinations, graded examinations, reviewed applications for certification and recertification, and decided appeals for those denied specialist status. It also evaluated and approved continuing legal education providers authorized to offer specialist-level coursework.
Mr. Friedman served for approximately seven years as a Commissioner on the State Bar Criminal Law Advisory Commission, at times serving as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Education Representative. In that role, he helped draft and grade specialist examinations, reviewed applications for certification and recertification, decided appeals, and vetted continuing legal education materials and providers to determine whether they met the demanding standards required for specialist credit.
This level of involvement reflects not only individual certification but active participation in defining and maintaining the standards for California Criminal Law Specialists statewide.
Serving on this Commission reflects a high level of professional trust and recognition within the legal community.
Why Certification Matters in Serious Criminal Cases
Criminal law is complex and constantly evolving. It involves constitutional protections, evidentiary rules, sentencing structures, forensic issues, and intricate procedural requirements. In federal matters, it may intersect with healthcare regulations, securities law, tax statutes, and multi-agency investigations.
For individuals facing indictment, grand jury proceedings, search warrants, parallel civil enforcement actions, or high-exposure financial investigations, experience and specialization can materially affect strategy and outcome.
A California Criminal Law Specialist has demonstrated proficiency beyond the general licensure requirement. Certification signals advanced knowledge, verified courtroom experience, peer-reviewed competence, and a continuing commitment to legal education.
Understanding what it takes to earn and maintain specialist status helps explain why the designation carries meaningful weight — particularly in complex, high-stakes criminal matters.
