The Supreme Court of Ohio regulates certification of attorneys as specialists and created the Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists (Commission) to administer Gov.Bar R. XIV - (Certification of Attorneys as Specialists) and the accompanying Standards for Accreditation of Specialty Certification Programs for Lawyers (Standards).

Neither the Supreme Court nor the Commission certifies attorneys as specialists. However, the Commission does accredit organizations it has determined are qualified to certify attorneys as specialists. The Commission also is charged with recommending to the Supreme Court fields of law subject to specialization; adopting standards that certifying agencies shall establish in certifying attorneys as specialists; and evaluating the programs of certifying agencies to ensure compliance with this rule.

Fields of Law Subject to Specialization Certification

The Supreme Court has approved 18 fields of law subject to specialization certification, including Elder Law, Family Relations Law, and Labor and Employment Law. The Commission has accredited four organizations to certify attorneys as specialists in these areas.

Locate a Certified Specialist

To find a certified specialist, contact the accredited organizations directly for a list of certified specialists in your area of interest.

For Attorneys

If you are interested in becoming a certified specialist, please review Gov. Bar R. XIV and the accompanying Standards. You should also contact the organizations that have been accredited by the Commission as qualified to certify attorneys as specialists in the area of law in which you are interested.

Questions and Answers about Attorney Specialty Certification

Attorney Certification Public Service Announcement (PSA)

Information for Certifying Organizations

• Notice of Intent to Apply
• Application for Accreditation
  • Background Information for Each Member of the Governing Board, Evaluation Committee, and Staff (to be included with the Application for Accreditation)
• Attorney Certification and Acknowledgement
• Application for Reaccreditation

Annual Filings

• Annual Reporting Form by Certifying Agency (Due April 1)

Schedule of Fees

Roster of Commission Members

Resource Materials

• Gov. Bar R. XIV - Certification of Attorneys as Specialists
• Standards for Accreditation of Specialty Certification Programs for Lawyers
• Application Outline of Standards for Accreditation for Specialty Certification Programs for Lawyers
• Prof. Cond. R. 7.4

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