WALNUT CREEK, CALIF., September 2, 2008 – Archer Norris announced today that partner W. Eric "Ric" Blumhardt was certified as an appellate law specialist by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. Appellate law certification is accorded to relatively few California lawyers; in fact, there are only six certified appellate specialists in Contra Costa County and 250 in the entire State.
The State Bar program for certifying legal specialists is a Supreme Court approved method of certifying specialists in nine specialty areas, including appellate law. To be considered for certification, an attorney must pass a written exam, demonstrate a high level of experience, complete at least 45 hours of continuing education and be favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with the attorney's work. Certification is for a five-year period during which time specialists must continue to meet task, education and peer review requirements similar to those for certification.
“We are very excited about Ric’s appellate law certification,” stated managing partner Gene Blackard. “This accomplishment highlights his expertise in appellate law and procedure and his well-deserved reputation for attaining appellate victories on behalf of our clients. The explosive growth of the firm’s appellate practice over the past few years is further testament to the abilities of Ric and his team.
”Recent victories for Blumhardt and the firm’s appellate group include four published opinions in the past year alone: Urhausen v. Longs Drug Stores California, Inc., 155 Cal.App.4th 254, Lambert v. Carneghi, 158 Cal.App.4th 1120, Madden v. Summit View, 165 Cal.App.4th 1267, and Arntz Builders v. City of Berkeley,2008 WL 3893218. The group’s California Appellate Law Blog offers a constantly renewing source of insight, highlighting appellate opinions and providing a resource for trial and appellate counsel.
A long time Board member and 2004 President of the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada, Blumhardt’s memberships also include the Defense Research Institute and the Contra Costa County Bar Association. He is admitted to practice in all California state courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Blumhardt is a graduate of University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (J.D., 1983) and the University of California, Davis (B.A., 1976).
About Archer Norris
Archer Norris, a Professional Law Corporation, is headquartered in Walnut Creek, with more than 80 attorneys and offices in Newport Beach, Los Angeles and Sacramento, California. The firm counsels clients in complex litigation, insurance coverage, bad faith litigation, business, health care, public entity, environmental, and real estate transactions. For more information about the firm, contact Jann Dudley at 925.952.5406 or visit the Archer Norris website at www.archernorris.com. You may also view our California Appellate Law Blog at www.caappellatelaw.com.