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

Lawyer Advertising in Maine Regarding
"Specialization"

Many successful lawyers seek to distinguish themselves by becoming board certified in various areas of law. The State of Maine'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, Mainehas elected not to offer specialization programs to its members. However, Maine, 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 Maine 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, concentrate or specialize 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 Attorney,” “Proctor in Admiralty,” or a substantially similar designation.

(d) A lawyer shall not state or imply that a lawyer is certified as a specialist in a particular field of law, unless:

(1) the lawyer has been certified as a specialist by an organization that has been approved by an appropriate state authority or that has been accredited by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar; and

(2) the name of the certifying organization is clearly identified in the communication.

In Maine and in the area of Bankruptcy, an entity that enables Bangor lawyers 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 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 South-Central Maine, including Amhurst, Bangor, Bradley, Carmel, Clifton, Dedham, Detroit, Dixmont, Frankfort, Glenburn Center, Greenbush, Howland, Levant, Newport, Old Town, Orono, Passadumkeag, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Prospect, Stockton Springs, Winterport, areas in the vicinity of Bangor International Airport, and other communities in Penobscot County.