1990 Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct

RULE 7.4    Communication of Fields of Practice and Specialization [revisions to 1990 Rule are indicated as follows: text deleted from the 1990 Rule is shown by strikethrough; additions to the 1990 Rule are shown in red]    

(a)    A lawyer or law firm may specify or designate any area or field of law in which the lawyer or firm concentrates or limits the practice of law.  In this regard, a lawyer or firm may specify:

(1)   a description of the types of legal matters in which the lawyer or firm will accept employment and a statement as to whether the lawyer or firm concentrates or limits the practice of law to one or more particular fields; and

(2)   other information about the lawyer or firm, the practice engaged in, or types of legal matters in which employment will be accepted, which a reasonable person might regard as relevant in determining whether to seek the services offered.

(a) A lawyer may communicate the fact that the lawyer does or does not practice in particular fields of law.

(b)    The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law, nor does it recognize certifications of expertise in any phase of the practice of law by any agency, governmental or private, or by any group, organization or association. A lawyer admitted to engage in patent practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office may use the designation "Patent Attorney" or a substantially similar designation.  However:

(1)   a lawyer admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office may use the designation "Patents," "Patent Attorney," "Patent Lawyer," or "Registered Patent Attorney," or any combination of those terms;

(2)   a lawyer engaged in trademark practice may use the designation "Trademarks," "Trademark Attorney" or "Trademark Lawyer," or any combination of those terms; or

(3)   a lawyer engaged in admiralty practice may use the designation "Admiralty," "Proctor in Admiralty" or "Admiralty Lawyer," or any combination of those terms.

(c)    Except when identifying certificates, awards or recognitions issued to him or her by an agency or organization, a lawyer may not use the terms "certified," "specialist," "expert," or any other, similar terms to describe his qualifications as a lawyer or his qualifications in any subspecialty of the law.  If such terms are used to identify any certificates, awards or recognitions issued by any agency, governmental or private, or by any group, organization or association, the reference must meet the following requirements:

(1)   the reference must be truthful and verifiable and may not be misleading in violation of Rule 7.1;

(2)   the reference must state that the Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and that the certificate, award or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in Illinois.

Adopted February 8, 1990, effective August 1, 1990; amended July 16, 1990; effective August 1, 1990.