Certified Family Law Specialist
Earning the coveted designation of Certified Family Law Specialist is a long, difficult ordeal which few numbers of California attorneys ever accomplish. At the Schaffer Family Law Group, we encourage our attorneys to go the extra distance to benefit our clients. Law firm founder Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS, LL.M as well as family law attorney Wayne J. Rice, CFLS have the important designation and more of our attorneys will follow.
California State Bar Selects a Handful of Attorneys as Certified Family Law Specialists
The California State Bar Legal Specialization was established to identify attorneys who have demonstrated proficiency in specialized fields of law:
• To help the public identify attorneys who have demonstrated proficiency in specialized fields of law;
• To encourage the maintenance and improvement of attorney competence in specialized fields of law.
The simple truth is that divorce contests and family law is complex. Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS, LL.M does not dilute her focus nor that of the law firm’s other attorneys by practicing other law sections as do some lawyers. Family law is constantly changing, and Sarah and the attorneys at Schaffer Family Law Group earn the trust of clients by earning the coveted Certified Family Law Specialist designation that proves that Sarah’s law firm remains current with the laws and the family law Courts.
Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS, LL.M – In 2011, Ms. Schaffer earned the distinguished title of Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Wayne J. Rice, CFLS – In 2016, Sarah welcomed Wayne J. Rice, CFLS, another certified specialist to Schaffer Family Law Group. Wayne earned his designation of Certified Legal Specialist in Family Law from the California Board of Legal Specialization in 2016 when he came aboard.
Leslie Ryland, CFLS – In 2020, Sarah welcomed Leslie Ryland, CFLS, another certified specialist at Schaffer Family Law Group. Leslie earned her designation of Certified Legal Specialist in Family Law from the California Board of Legal Specialization in 2006.
Why are There so Few Certified Family Law Specialists?
Becoming a “Certified Specialist” is quite the challenge and commitment of time. In fact, it often takes years to accomplish. It is more than just an attorney who decides to “focus” on only a particular area of law. Although that is important! Some “general practice” lawyers do divorce, personal injury, contract law, criminal, estate planning – whatever you are willing to pay for. So, when shopping for an attorney for a divorce or family law matter, it is comforting that Sarah focuses her practice 100% on family law. To take that extra, final step to become a “Certified Family Law Specialist,” the attorney is finally board certified by the State Bar must have:
» Taken and passed a written examination in Family Law;
» Demonstrated a high level of experience in Family Law;
» Fulfilled ongoing education requirements specified by the board;
» Favorably evaluated by judges and attorneys familiar with the candidate’s work.
What can a Certified Family Law specialist do for you?
• Make certain marital settlement agreements and pre- or post-nuptial agreements are properly prepared;
• Identify tax issues which may affect the distribution of marital property and the payment of child, spousal or family support;
• Help you effectively deal with complex legal issues involving community property laws;
• Negotiate or mediate the difficult and emotional issues relating to legal separation, dissolution of marriage and child custody;
• Protect clients who need restraining orders for domestic violence;
• Handle matters relating to modification of child custody, spousal support or child support;
• Offer a collaborative process enabling clients to resolve their issues without court intervention.
It is important for the best possible outcome of your divorce or other family law matter to hire a San Diego Certified Family Law specialist.
Certified Family Law Specialist: Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS, LL.M
Attorneys may identify themselves as a State “Certified” Specialists in California only if they are certified either by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, or an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the California State Bar.
California attorneys who are certified 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.
Certified Family Law Specialist, Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS, LL.M has the proven qualifications that every divorce or family law matter deserves.
Hire the BEST Possible Attorney to Represent You
When you chose a divorce and family law attorney who is a State Certified Specialist, you know that he or she has devoted those time, energy, study, displayed professionalism noted by fellow attorneys and judges and maintains the highest standards of legal knowledge and ability for their chosen specialty.
Very few attorneys ever earn “certified specialization” in their law section. In fact, fewer than 1 in 200 California attorneys are certified specialists in their law specialty. Considering there are more than 200,000 lawyers in California, it is very difficult to be “certified” such that there are less than 1,000 board certified attorneys in Family Law.
Call Schaffer Family Law Group, APC at (858) 509-7907 to schedule a strategy session today.
Meet Our Certified Family Law Specialist Attorneys
San Diego Family Attorney, Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS – is known and respected in San Diego for her honesty, integrity and ethics as a Family Law Attorney, Courtroom Litigator, Mediator, and Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserves as a respected JAG officer.
Attorney Schaffer will not advise you to take a case to trial if it can be fairly and equitably resolved outside of the courtroom. On the other hand, if your case involves an issue that demands litigation to protect your interests, you can depend on Sarah to aggressively fight for your rights.
San Diego Family Attorney, Wayne J. Rice, CFLS – has practiced family law exclusively since 2011. In 2015, Mr. Rice joined Schaffer Family Law Group, APC, and in 2016, earned the designation of Certified Legal Specialist in Family Law from the California Board of Legal Specialization.
Mr. Rice has represented clients in international custody disputes, as well as domestic violence restraining order matters and cases involving complex property issues, including the enforcement of pre-marital agreements involving transmutation. He has made several hundred appearances in family court in the last five years, including numerous evidentiary hearings.
San Diego Family Attorney, Leslie Ryland, CFLS – has practiced law since 1989. In 2006 she earned her designation as Certified Legal Specialist.
Ms. Ryland has represented clients in a wide array of family law matters and has a special interest in custody issues. Although Ms. Ryland has litigated complex financial matters as well as highly contested custody cases, she much prefers helping parties to either negotiate a mediated settlement or participate in a Collaborative Divorce.
We are here to answer your questions and concerns
Call Schaffer Family Law Group at (858) 509-7907 to schedule a strategy session today.
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Sarah T. Schaffer In The News
Recent Media Events
Sarah T. Schaffer Recognized in San Diego Discovery Magazine With over 220,000 attorneys in California, Schaffer is one of the few, numbering 178 within San Diego, to hold the distinction of Certified Family Law Specialist.
San Diego Magazine Women of the Year Awards Colonel Sarah T. Schaffer, USMC – Camp Pendleton recognized for her Military Service as JAG Officer.
Top 50 Influential Leaders in San Diego Sarah T. Schaffer is active in the San Diego County and North County bar associations and supports the programs of Kids’ Turn San Diego, a nonprofit that helps children through family separations, and Casa Cornelia Law Center, which provides pro bono legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations.
Dividing a Business - San Diego Discover Magazine Not all businesses have marital value, especially smaller businesses whose primary value is from the efforts of one spouse.
Family law matters are never simple By your side every step of the way
Certified Family Law Specialist CFLS Sarah Schaffer and Leslie Ryland have been certified by the State Bar of California as “Certified Family Law Specialists,” a distinction earned by family law attorneys who have “gone beyond the standard licensing requirements.” Every attorney at Schaffer Family Law Group has either earned their CFLS Certification, or is actively working towards that professional goal as a requirement of the firm and our commitment to providing our clients the most skilled and proficient attorneys in San Diego County.
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Our People Make The Difference!
- Our staff are amazing! Dedicated and client-focused.
- The Schaffer Family Law Group is led by a "Certified Family Law Specialist.” Our San Diego law practice is 100% focused on Family law, divorce and divorce mediation benefitting our clients. More...
- Sarah Schaffer has an LL.M (Master of Laws) in Taxation to help clients who have real estate, investments and retirement accounts make tax-savvy choices as your case finalizes with a spouse-agreed or court-approved property division settlement. We are the go-to San Diego divorce attorneys for Complex Division of Property cases.
Schaffer Family Law Group, APC
- SAN DIEGO OFFICE
12520 High Bluff Drive, Suite 380
San Diego, CA 92130 - CARLSBAD OFFICE
2173 Salk Avenue, Suite 250
Carlsbad, CA, 92008 - M-F 9AM to 5PM
- (858) 509-7907
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