Attorney advertising is regulated by the states and not all states recognize legal specialization. Some states require certain disclosures concerning communications regarding fields of practice or specialization. The following disclosures are reproduced here for informational purposes only. No warranty is made as to their completeness, accuracy, or currency. Attorneys are solely responsible for their directory listings and other content they make available on Legalbeavers.com. Users are reminded of the Disclaimer and the Terms and Conditions of use of this website and should make their own independent inquiries before hiring any attorney.

Alabama “No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.” Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.2(e). Current with amendments received through 10-1-2004.

Colorado “Colorado does not certify lawyers as specialists in any field.” Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(e). Effective January 1, 2008.

Hawaii "The Supreme Court of Hawai‘i grants Hawai‘i certification only to lawyers in good standing who have successfully completed a specialty program accredited by the American Bar Association." Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(c). Effective January 1, 1994.

Illinois The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and the certificate, award, or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in Illinois. See Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(c)(2). Effective August 1, 1990.

Massachusetts Any private certifying organization is "a private organization, whose standards for certification are not regulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." See Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(b). Includes all amendments through 01-01-08.

Mississippi FREE BACKGROUND INFORMATION AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST [from a Mississippi lawyer.] There is no procedure in Mississippi for approving certifying or designating organizations and authorities. See Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(a)(2) and Rule 7.6(a), amended February 11, 1999.

Missouri “The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.” Neither the Supreme Court of Missouri nor The Missouri Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or specialist designations. See Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 4-7.2(f), effective January 1, 2006, Rev. July 1, 2007, and Rule 4-7.4, effective July 1, 1995, Rev. July 1, 2007.

New Mexico Certification by an organization other than the New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization does not constitute recognition by the New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization, unless the lawyer is also recognized by the board as a specialist in that area of law or the board does not recognize specialization in that area. See New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 16-704(D) (2007)

New York Any private certifying organization is not affiliated with any governmental authority. Certification is not a requirement for the practice of law in the State of New York and does not necessarily indicate greater competence than other attorneys experienced in this field of law. See New York Lawyer’s Code of Professional Responsibility DR 2-105(C)(2). Updated through November 3, 2007.

Rhode Island “The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law. The court does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any particular field of practice.” Rhode Island Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(d)(3). Effective April 15, 2007.

Virginia There is no procedure in the Commonwealth of Virginia for approving certifying organizations. See Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(d). Effective January 1, 2000, including amendments through September 1, 2007.

Washington The Supreme Court of Washington does not recognize certification of specialties in the practice of law and the certificate, award, or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in the state of Washington. See Washington Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(d)(3). Amended effective September 1, 2006.

Wyoming The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer’s credentials and ability, and not rely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. See Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law Rule 7.2(g). Amended April 11, 2006; Amendment effective July 1, 2006.