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Certification Programs Offered by Accredited Organizations

Currently, the organizations accredited by the Commission offer programs to certify attorneys as specialists in the following areas of law:


The practice of bankruptcy law when the debtor is a corporation, a partnership, an individual currently engaged in business, or an individual formerly engaged in business whose debts are primarily incurred for business purposes; including but not limited to business bankruptcies, reorganizations, liquidations, and the rights, obligations, and remedies of debtors and creditors.

The practice of law that involves litigation of civil controversies in all areas of substantive law before state courts, federal courts, administrative agencies, and arbitrators. In addition to actual pretrial and trial process, "civil law trial advocacy" includes evaluating, managing, and resolving civil controversies prior to the initiation of suit.

The practice of law that involves all aspects of debt collection under state and federal law as it applies to the rights of creditors.

The practice of law that involves the defense and prosecution of misdemeanor and felony crimes in state and federal trial and appellate courts.

The practice of bankruptcy law when the debtor is an individual or husband and wife and where the debts are primarily non-business related. The matters are typically filed under Chapters 7 or 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

The legal practice of counseling and representing older persons and their representatives about the legal aspects of health and long-term care planning, public benefits, surrogate decision-making, older persons' legal capacity, the conservation, disposition and administration of older persons' estates and the implementation of their decisions concerning such matters, giving due consideration to the applicable tax consequences of the action, or the need for more sophisticated tax expertise.

Privacy Law is the field of law that governs how governments, organizations, and individuals collect, use, transfer, protect, and otherwise process personal information. A Privacy Law Specialist advises clients regarding the legal issues raised by the practices, including, for example: (1) assisting with creating internal- and external-facing notices and policies regarding data use; (2) responding to consumer inquiries about their personal information rights; (3) negotiating contracts involving data transfers; 4) responding to incidents involving personal data misuse or breach; (5) engaging in litigation regarding privacy issues; (6) responding to inquiries from regulators regarding personal information; (7) legal and regulatory concerns; (8) advising clients regarding the legal and ethical use of personal information against an increasingly complex technical landscape; (9) complying with regulatory obligations concerning the retention and use of personal information; and (10) advising regarding privacy impact assessments (PIAs), breaches, privacy by design and privacy by default, data protection, and privacy regimens.

The practice of Social Security law includes representation of claimants for Social Security disability, survivors’ and retirement benefits. Lawyers in this field routinely represent claimants throughout the administrative hearings and appeals process and into the federal courts.

Contact Information

Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists
Supreme Court of Ohio
65 South Front Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3431

Secretary to the Board:
Britney Cider, Esq.

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