Lawyers will now be able to advertise as specialists

Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 | 9:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Attorneys will now be able to advertise themselves as specialists in specific fields of law, the Nevada Supreme Court said Thursday.

Until now the rule has been that advertising by lawyers must contain the disclaimer, "The State Bar of Nevada does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert."

The court approved a petition by the board of governors of the State Bar of Nevada to amend the rule to permit lawyers to advertise they are specialists if they have been certified by an organization in that field.

The State Bar will approve which organizations may provide certification. Any advertising by an attorney must contain the name of the certifying body.

Lawyers must fulfill certain conditions to be considered experts, and must devote at least one-third of their practice to the particular field for each of the preceding two calendar years.

Attorneys must complete 10 hours of accredited continuing legal education in each designated field of specialization during the preceding year, and the lawyer must carry a minimum of $500,000 in professional liability insurance.

Lawyers will be limited to three designations of specialties.

The new rule becomes effective in 30 days.