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What is Board Certified in Bankruptcy Law & What are the Requirements?

Lawyer Advertising in Illinois Regarding
"Specialization"

Illinois Rule of Professional conduct Rule 7.4 sets rules for lawyers that wish to advertise that they have a "specialty" or "specialize" in a particular area of law.

Though many states have certification programs or specialization programs in various areas of law, Illinois has elected not to offer specialization programs to its members. In some cases, Illinois attorneys are allowed to advertise that they are certified by an outside organization. However, if that lawyer wishes to advertise or place that specialization where the public can be exposed to it, that lawyer must adhere to the requirements of
Rule 7.4. These requirements are as follows:

Rule 7.4. Communication of Fields of Practice

(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 the 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.
(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. 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 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.

In Illinois and in the area of Bankruptcy, an entity that Arlington Heights lawyers are able to publicly discuss their certification is a company called the:

American Board of Certification (ABC)
101 Second Street SE, Suite 904
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
(319) 365-2222
www.abcworld.org

They offer a certification in Business Bankruptcy and Consumer Bankruptcy.

If you wish to retain an attorney it is not essential that they be a "Specialist" in civil law to do an excellent job. However, if you wish to only choose a lawyer that has earned a "Specialization" from an ABA approved organization and you are unsure if they have a specialization, simply ask if they do hold such a specialization.

Serving clients throughout Northeastern Illinois, including Aurora, Bartlett, Batavia, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Burbank, Calumet City, Carol Steam, Carpentersville, Channahon, Chicago, Cicero, Crystal Lake, De Kalb, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, East Chicago, Elgin, Evanston, Glenview, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Lake Forest, Lake in the Hills, Lancing, Lockport, Lombard, McHenry, Mt. Prospect, Mundelein, Naperville, North Chicago, Northbrook, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Rockford, Romeoville, Round Lake Beach, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Vernon Hills, Wilmette, Woodstock, areas in the vicinity of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and other communities in Cook County.