20030053 | Office of Legal Ethics Counsel & Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri

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Informal Opinion Number: 20030053

Rules: 4-7.4

Information About Legal Services

Communication of Fields of Practice and Specialization

QUESTION: Is it permissible for Attorney to include “Certification is by the American Board of Certification and is accredited by the American Bar Association,” along with the required disclaimer, to his advertisement in the telephone directory?
ANSWER: If Attorney is adding the proposed language to the advertisement and keeping the disclaimer required by Rule 4-7.4, it is permissible to add the proposed language as long as the proposed language is in a font that is no larger nor otherwise more conspicuous than the Rule 4-7.4 disclaimer.

Informal Opinions are ethics advisory opinions issued by the Office of Legal Ethics Counsel to members of the Bar about Rule 4 (Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 5 (Complaints and Proceedings Thereon), and Rule 6 (Fees to Practice Law) pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.30(c). Written summaries of select Informal Opinions are published for informational purposes as determined by the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri pursuant to Rule 5.30(c). Informal opinion summaries are advisory in nature and are not binding. These opinions are published as an educational service and do not constitute legal advice.

To request an Informal Opinion, please visit: https://mo-legal-ethics.org/for lawyers/requesting-an-informal-advisory-opinion/.