| LEO Num | Topics | Summary | Date |
0923
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| A lawyer advertising that the lawyer "specializes" in a certain area does not necessarily violate the prohibition on a lawyer falsely claiming that the lawyer is a "recognized" or "certified" specialist. | 6/11/1987 |
0427
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| A lawyer may circulate an advertisement indicating that the lawyer's "practice includes" specified areas of practice. | 8/14/1981 |
0456
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| A lawyer may publicize certification as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. [Rule 7.4(d) would also require a disclaimer indicating that Virginia has no procedure for approving certifying organizations.] | 4/16/1982 |
0572
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| A lawyer may publicize the areas of practice in which the lawyer primarily practices. | 4/20/1984 |
1107
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| A lawyer may use a brochure indicating that the lawyer "specializes" in certain areas, because the advertisement does not say that the lawyer is a "recognized or certified" specialist. | 8/1/1988 |
1292
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| A lawyer who has lectured in a CLE program may advertise this fact as long as the advertisement is accurate and does not imply that the lawyer is a certified specialist. | 10/19/1989 |
1001
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| A solicitation letter may indicate that a lawyer practices "primarily" in certain legal areas, but may not indicate that the lawyer's fees "are substantially lower than the normal rates for this community." | 11/24/1987 |
1425
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| It is not per se unethical for a lawyer to advertise a specialty in a certain area as long as the advertisement does not indicate that the lawyer is a recognized or certified specialist. A lawyer may publish an article as long as it is accurate. | 9/16/1991 |
0979
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| Using the term "professional experience and expertise" does not automatically violate the rule prohibiting a lawyer from falsely claiming to be a "recognized" or "certified" specialist in a certain area of law. | 11/13/1987 |
1231
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| Using the word "specialize" in an advertisement does not automatically imply that a lawyer is a "recognized" or "certified" specialist, but it would be preferable for a lawyer to explain that the lawyer has limited his or her practice to certain areas. | 5/2/1989 |