Cal Appellate Specialist Exam Offered on October 25

By Robyn Hagan Cain on August 17, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Are you interested in becoming a California Appellate Specialist? You're in luck. The California Appellate Specialist exam is only offered in odd years, and the next exam will be offered on October 25, 2011.

To qualify for the exam, an applicant must demonstrate that she has been substantially involved in the practice of appellate law in the five years immediately preceding her written application. Substantial involvement includes, but is not limited to:

  • Advising clients with regards to appeals.
  • Identifying appealable orders.
  • Designating, reviewing and evaluating the record.
  • Preparing briefs, appellate motions, petitions for extraordinary writ, petitions for review, and habeas corpus petitions.
  • Presenting oral arguments.

An applicant must have presented seven oral arguments during her career. She must also show that, within the three years immediately preceding application, she has completed at least 20 hours of approved educational activities in appeals and writs, and another 25 hours of education in pre-trial, trial, or post-trial practice and procedure, or substantive law topics.

An applicant must have performed qualifying tasks personally. An applicant is awarded points for each of the qualifying tasks, and must submit a total of 125 points, at least 75 of which accumulated during the five years immediately preceding her written application, to sit for the exam.

The exam is offered in Southern California at the Pasadena Convention Center, and in Northern California at the Oakland Convention Center at Marriott City Center. The examination fee is $350. Applicants who wish to take the exam on their laptop computers must pay an additional $125 fee.

The California Appellate Specialist exam registration form is available on the California State Bar's website. The registration deadline is September 26, 2011.

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard