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History, Purposes & Activities

ACFLS was formed in 1980 following certification of the first group of Family Law Specialists under the "pilot" program, now a permanent program of the State Bar. ACFLS monitors administration by the State Bar of the specialization program, legislation and court rules, develops and promotes Family Law practice skills, and provides advanced educational programs for the bar, judiciary and public.

In the 22 years of ACFLS' existence, membership has grown to 490 of the approximately 982 California Certified Family Law Specialists, 50% of those certified by the California State Bar Association.

ACFLS holds dinner meetings with programs in Northern California, usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month (except July and August), and several times a year in Southern California. The Sacramento Chapter meets for lunch on the last Tuesday of the month. In addition to programs geared to needs and interest of experienced Family Law practitioners, these meetings are a convivial way to meet and confer with CFLS colleagues and Judges from other counties who have similar interest and dedication to Family Law, to compare procedures on various California courts, and to develop a network of contacts of significant value in daily practice. For information regarding meetings, please contact the ACFLS Administrator Lynn Pfeifer at ACFLS@comcast.net or by telephone at (415) 499-1610.

Membership in ACFLS requires Certification by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California, and payment of the annual dues. Members receive all ACFLS Newsletters, notices of meetings, are eligible to participate in ACFLS activities (including seminars at reduced cost), and are listed in the ACFLS Referral and Membership Directory published each year and on our web site: www.acfls.org.

It is the Mission of ACFLS to promote and preserve the Family Law Specialty. To that end, the Association seeks to:

1. Advance the knowledge of Family Law Specialists;
2. Monitor legislation and proposals affecting the field of family law;
3. Promote and encourage ethical practice among members of the bar and their clients; and
4. Promote the specialty to the public and the family law bar.