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Board Certified Bankruptcy Lawyers in Indianapolis, Indiana | What Does Board Certified Mean?

Lawyer Advertising in Indiana Regarding
"Specialization"

Many successful lawyers seek to distinguish themselves by becoming board certified in various areas of law. The State of Indiana's Rule of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4 sets rules for lawyers who 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, Indiana has elected not to offer specialization programs to its members. However, Indiana, like other jurisdictions that do not have specialization programs, does recognize that there are organizations that do offer programs that offer a specialization recognition. If a lawyer licensed in Indiana wishes to apply for such a specialization and obtains it, that is permissible. 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 and Specialization

(a) A lawyer may communicate the fact that the lawyer does or does not practice in particular fields of law.
(b) 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.
(c) A lawyer engaged in Admiralty practice may use the designation “Admiralty,” “Proctor in Admiralty” or a substantially similar designation.
(d) A lawyer shall not state or imply that the lawyer is a specialist in a particular field of law, unless:

(1) The lawyer has been certified as a specialist by an Independent Certifying Organization accredited by the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education pursuant to Admission and Discipline Rule 30; and,
(2) The certifying organization is identified in the communication.

(e) Pursuant to rule-making powers inherent in its ability and authority to police and regulate the practice of law by attorneys admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court hereby vests exclusive authority for accreditation of Independent Certifying Organizations that certify specialists in legal practice areas and fields in the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education. The Commission shall be the exclusive accrediting body in Indiana, for purposes of Rule 7.4 (d) (1), above; and shall promulgate rules and guidelines for accrediting Independent Certifying Organizations that certify specialists in legal practice areas and fields. The rules and guidelines shall include requirements of practice experience, continuing legal education, objective examination; and, peer review and evaluation, with the purpose of providing assurance to the consumers of legal services that the attorneys attaining certification within areas of specialization have demonstrated extraordinary proficiency within those areas of specialization. The Supreme Court shall retain review oversight with respect to the Commission, its requirements, and its rules and guidelines. The Supreme Court retains the power to alter or amend such requirements, rules and guidelines; and, to review the actions of the Commission in respect to this Rule 7.4.

The Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education states that:

"An attorney in Indiana may be certified as a specialist by a commission-accredited certifying organization. In order to be certified, an attorney must demonstrate extraordinary competence and efficiency. The attorney must have passed an exam in the practice area, must meet practice requirements, and must have the support of his or her peers."

The only entity approved in Indiana for specialization in: Business and Consumer Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights is:

American Board of Certification
101 Second Street SE
Suite 904
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Phone: (319) 365-2222
Fax: (319) 363-0127
www.abcworld.org
Email: abc@abcworld.org

If you wish to retain an attorney it is not essential that they be a "Specialist" in bankruptcy 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 Central Indiana, including Anderson, Batesville, Bloomington, Brownsburg, Carmel, Columbus, Covington, Crawfordsville, Franklin, Greensburg, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lebanon, Marion, Martinsville, Nobelsville, Plainfield, Richmond, Seymour, Shelbyville, Terre Haute, West Lafayette, areas in the vicinity of Indianapolis International Airport, and other communities in Marion County.