What is a Certified Family Law Specialist? A “certified specialist” is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. California attorneys who are certified by the State Bar as specialists must have taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrated a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfilled ongoing education requirements, and been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work. Currently there are approximately 900 Certified Family Law Specialists in California. Heidi S. Tuffias became a Certified Family Law Specialist in 1995 by taking a written essay exam, submitting names of other lawyers and Certified Specialists as references and proving that she met the experiential and educational requirements.