Americans For Effective Law Enforcement
Certified Litigation Specialist® Requirements
Distinguishing yourself from others in the criminal justice profession is another pathway to promotion, to consulting, and to expert witnessing. The exclusive Certified Litigation Specialist (CLS) designation earned through and conferred by the Americans for Effective Law Enforcement (AELE) will help you achieve such prominence. This AELE value-added designation will elevate you above your peers, enabling you to provide valuable assistance to risk managers, agency administrators, trainers, instructional designers, investigators, prosecutors, defense counsel, and others about contemporary high-risk litigation issues and events.
The CLS designation, inspired by Sheriff W. Ken Katsaris (Ret.) and collaboratively developed with former AELE Executive Director, Wayne Schmidt, received Board member approval and offered in 2002. Many law enforcement professionals, including prominent expert witnesses, have earned the CLS designation. In 2019, the CLS Academic Committee refreshed the requisite criteria for earning the CLS. To meet the growing demands of law enforcement, the CLS designation is earned in the following evidence-, legal-, and scientific-based specializations: Discipline and Internal Affairs Litigation; Corrections Litigation; and Police Litigation.
One or two individuals cannot possibly know and understand all the information about a particular subject. Attendance at AELE seminars quickly highlight the breadth and depth of experience of its faculty. Evidence-based perspectives are shared by faculty who are experts in their topic, and who have the breadth and depth of knowledge to share the latest legal, scientific, and other proven practices within each topic. The integration of AELE seminars, supplemental readings, case studies, and networking with other attendants gives CLS seekers the breadth, depth, and application of knowledge and experience that cannot be found in similar programs.
The CLS designation is intended for agency personnel to distinguish themselves from others and to interface with risk managers, helping them to identify areas of high-risk liability and how to best prepare for potential litigation. Immediately following a high-risk event (e.g., shooting, arrest-related death, employee discrimination-harassment), the CLS will provide invaluable insight about what information and evidence to collect, and why it must be collected and analyzed. The CLS will also work with agency investigators, administrators, risk managers, and municipal or private counsel to provide informational assistance.
CLS Requirements
NOTE: The following will appear after clicking a link that reads “CLS Frequently Asked Questions”
What are the categories for Certified Litigation Specialist (or Litigation Professional)?
There are CLS categories. The seminars required for each of these categories are:
Police/Law Enforcement Litigation
1. Force Management
2. Public Safety Special Circumstances Internal Investigations and Discipline
3. Sudden and In-Custody Death annual international Conference (offered by The Institute For The Prevention of In-Custody Deaths
(IPICD.org)
Corrections Litigation
1. Jail & Prisoner Legal Issues and
2. Public Safety Special Circumstances Internal Investigations and Discipline
3. Sudden and In-Custody Death annual International Conference (offered by the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, Inc.)
Are there time limits to complete the qualifying seminars?
Yes. All qualifying seminars must be completed within a 36-month period.
How long is the designation valid?
The designation expires at the end of the 24th month from the date of the last qualifying seminar.
Examples: If you attended the qualifying seminars, the last of which was in March 2020, the designation expires March 31, 2022.
How is a designation renewed?
An online application for a new or a renewal application is completed online or sent to AELE. It must list at least the qualifying seminars during a 36-month period preceding the application. A corresponding online CLS assessment for the specific designation is another criterion.
What are the “additional resource materials” reading requirements?
At each AELE seminar, attendants are provided online access to seminar materials, research studies and the documents. The CLS Academic Committee has chosen one or more additional readings to be completed prior to successfully completing the CLS online assessment. Each person’s learning of a subject is different, and the familiarization process could vary from a short period to several hours. The documents are (PDF format). Here are two examples:
• Principles for Promoting Police Integrity, U.S. Dept. of Justice
• New Challenges for Law Enforcement Professional Standards Officers
Current research on police, jail, and civil litigation academic articles
(Online article discusses training and policy failures).
Can I qualify in more than one category?
A person may qualify in both categories by taking the qualifying seminars in the last 36 months. A person could have different expiration dates for each category, depending on the sequence of the subjects.
What are the dates and places of qualifying seminars?
The dates and information for each qualifying synchronous and asynchronous AELE seminar is found on the seminar information link in this website. For information on the other qualifying seminars, go to IPICD.com.
What is the purpose of the Police Use of Force Law Instructor’s Guide?
CLS designees can download a resource or to build use of force lesson plans if they instruct on legal topics. This is an exclusive benefit, as the Guide is not available to instructors that have not earned the CLS designation. Click here for additional information.
What is the cost for receiving the CLS designation (or LP recognition)?
There is no fee to receive the CLS designation (or LP recognition). The CLS application form (or LP recognition form) is completed online or can be printed, with the latter faxed to AELE. After an applicant’s attendance at the qualifying seminars is verified, AELE will send a personalized, diploma-style document suitable for framing, imprinted with the person’s name, the category (s)he is qualified, and the dates of validity. If a person has qualified in multiple categories, the document will list the valid dates for each category.
How can I identify myself as a Certified Litigation Specialist or a Litigation Professional?
In addition to receiving the diploma-style document, Certified Litigation Specialists receive a “Litigation Specialist” pin.
What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Litigation Specialist ™ or a Litigation Professional?
AELE formally recognizes the fact that an individual has completed the (or more) qualifying seminars in the last 36 months and is familiar with additional resource materials. It is not an endorsement and does not attest to a person’s occupational or professional abilities. It is not a substitute for a degree or professional license, although attendance at the seminars may partially satisfy state-imposed in-service training or continuing education requirements. The designation is recognized as a symbol of achievement.
Are there any discounts for repeating a seminar for CLS or LP credit?
Yes. A Certified Litigation Specialist ™ or a Litigation Professional gets a $100 tuition reduction on each qualifying course that is repeated to maintain their CLS or LP status. That is in addition to the reduction offered to multiple attendants from the same agency, firm, or other entity. Additionally, if a “live” seminar is full, AELE guarantees an opening if a CLS or LP attendant registers at least four weeks in advance. This discount is only available to individuals who are repeating a seminar to maintain their CLS or LP status.
What happens after the designation expires?
You can state on your vita or website that you earned the designation, and the years of validity. Because a person’s employment or occupational specialty might change, you might choose not to renew the designation by repeating the qualifying seminars. That in no way detracts from the fact that you earned the designation during the period of validity.
What records are kept by AELE?
There is an archived, computer-based record of seminar attendance.
Once I have attended the qualifying seminars, how do I apply?
On the AELE website, click on the link for the CLS (or LP) form.
What if I have more questions?
Contact the staff via e-mail at staff@aele.org
The CLS designation, inspired by Sheriff W. Ken Katsaris (Ret.) and collaboratively developed with former AELE Executive Director, Wayne Schmidt, received Board member approval and offered in 2002. Many law enforcement professionals, including prominent expert witnesses, have earned the CLS designation. In 2019, the CLS Academic Committee refreshed the requisite criteria for earning the CLS. To meet the growing demands of law enforcement, the CLS designation is earned in the following evidence-, legal-, and scientific-based specializations: Discipline and Internal Affairs Litigation; Corrections Litigation; and Police Litigation.
One or two individuals cannot possibly know and understand all the information about a particular subject. Attendance at AELE seminars quickly highlight the breadth and depth of experience of its faculty. Evidence-based perspectives are shared by faculty who are experts in their topic, and who have the breadth and depth of knowledge to share the latest legal, scientific, and other proven practices within each topic. The integration of AELE seminars, supplemental readings, case studies, and networking with other attendants gives CLS seekers the breadth, depth, and application of knowledge and experience that cannot be found in similar programs.
The CLS designation is intended for agency personnel to distinguish themselves from others and to interface with risk managers, helping them to identify areas of high-risk liability and how to best prepare for potential litigation. Immediately following a high-risk event (e.g., shooting, arrest-related death, employee discrimination-harassment), the CLS will provide invaluable insight about what information and evidence to collect, and why it must be collected and analyzed. The CLS will also work with agency investigators, administrators, risk managers, and municipal or private counsel to provide informational assistance.
CLS Requirements
- Attend three qualifying seminars within 36 months
- Satisfy additional reading requirements available through AELE
- Complete and submit a CLS application (one per subject designation)
- Successfully complete an online assessment (one per subject designation).
NOTE: The following will appear after clicking a link that reads “CLS Frequently Asked Questions”
What are the categories for Certified Litigation Specialist (or Litigation Professional)?
There are CLS categories. The seminars required for each of these categories are:
Police/Law Enforcement Litigation
1. Force Management
2. Public Safety Special Circumstances Internal Investigations and Discipline
3. Sudden and In-Custody Death annual international Conference (offered by The Institute For The Prevention of In-Custody Deaths
(IPICD.org)
Corrections Litigation
1. Jail & Prisoner Legal Issues and
2. Public Safety Special Circumstances Internal Investigations and Discipline
3. Sudden and In-Custody Death annual International Conference (offered by the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, Inc.)
Are there time limits to complete the qualifying seminars?
Yes. All qualifying seminars must be completed within a 36-month period.
How long is the designation valid?
The designation expires at the end of the 24th month from the date of the last qualifying seminar.
Examples: If you attended the qualifying seminars, the last of which was in March 2020, the designation expires March 31, 2022.
How is a designation renewed?
An online application for a new or a renewal application is completed online or sent to AELE. It must list at least the qualifying seminars during a 36-month period preceding the application. A corresponding online CLS assessment for the specific designation is another criterion.
What are the “additional resource materials” reading requirements?
At each AELE seminar, attendants are provided online access to seminar materials, research studies and the documents. The CLS Academic Committee has chosen one or more additional readings to be completed prior to successfully completing the CLS online assessment. Each person’s learning of a subject is different, and the familiarization process could vary from a short period to several hours. The documents are (PDF format). Here are two examples:
• Principles for Promoting Police Integrity, U.S. Dept. of Justice
• New Challenges for Law Enforcement Professional Standards Officers
Current research on police, jail, and civil litigation academic articles
(Online article discusses training and policy failures).
Can I qualify in more than one category?
A person may qualify in both categories by taking the qualifying seminars in the last 36 months. A person could have different expiration dates for each category, depending on the sequence of the subjects.
What are the dates and places of qualifying seminars?
The dates and information for each qualifying synchronous and asynchronous AELE seminar is found on the seminar information link in this website. For information on the other qualifying seminars, go to IPICD.com.
What is the purpose of the Police Use of Force Law Instructor’s Guide?
CLS designees can download a resource or to build use of force lesson plans if they instruct on legal topics. This is an exclusive benefit, as the Guide is not available to instructors that have not earned the CLS designation. Click here for additional information.
What is the cost for receiving the CLS designation (or LP recognition)?
There is no fee to receive the CLS designation (or LP recognition). The CLS application form (or LP recognition form) is completed online or can be printed, with the latter faxed to AELE. After an applicant’s attendance at the qualifying seminars is verified, AELE will send a personalized, diploma-style document suitable for framing, imprinted with the person’s name, the category (s)he is qualified, and the dates of validity. If a person has qualified in multiple categories, the document will list the valid dates for each category.
How can I identify myself as a Certified Litigation Specialist or a Litigation Professional?
In addition to receiving the diploma-style document, Certified Litigation Specialists receive a “Litigation Specialist” pin.
What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Litigation Specialist ™ or a Litigation Professional?
AELE formally recognizes the fact that an individual has completed the (or more) qualifying seminars in the last 36 months and is familiar with additional resource materials. It is not an endorsement and does not attest to a person’s occupational or professional abilities. It is not a substitute for a degree or professional license, although attendance at the seminars may partially satisfy state-imposed in-service training or continuing education requirements. The designation is recognized as a symbol of achievement.
Are there any discounts for repeating a seminar for CLS or LP credit?
Yes. A Certified Litigation Specialist ™ or a Litigation Professional gets a $100 tuition reduction on each qualifying course that is repeated to maintain their CLS or LP status. That is in addition to the reduction offered to multiple attendants from the same agency, firm, or other entity. Additionally, if a “live” seminar is full, AELE guarantees an opening if a CLS or LP attendant registers at least four weeks in advance. This discount is only available to individuals who are repeating a seminar to maintain their CLS or LP status.
What happens after the designation expires?
You can state on your vita or website that you earned the designation, and the years of validity. Because a person’s employment or occupational specialty might change, you might choose not to renew the designation by repeating the qualifying seminars. That in no way detracts from the fact that you earned the designation during the period of validity.
What records are kept by AELE?
There is an archived, computer-based record of seminar attendance.
Once I have attended the qualifying seminars, how do I apply?
On the AELE website, click on the link for the CLS (or LP) form.
What if I have more questions?
Contact the staff via e-mail at staff@aele.org