Florida attorneys beware, you must now be Board Certified in your area of practice if you plan on advertising it under “Skills & Expertise” on LinkedIn.
In a response to an inquiry regarding the matter, Cynthia E. Booth, Assistant Ethics Counsel, The Florida Bar says, “a lawyer can only state or imply that the lawyer is ‘certified’, a ‘specialist’, or an ‘expert’ if the lawyer is certified by The Florida Bar, by a certification program accredited by the American Bar Association, or by a state bar with certification standards comparable to those of The Florida Bar.” However, it is important to note, that the Florida Bar does not offer board certification in all areas of specialty. This will leave some wiggle room, especially for those who practice in an area in which board certification is not offered.
It is recommended to err on the side of caution and make sure all social media accounts are compliant with Florida’s new advertising rules. These rulings seem to be the trend, as New York has also made a similar ruling.
To read the full statement from The Florida Bar, please click here.
Written By David Shiffman
David Shiffman is Co-Founder and Brand Elevater at Brandamos. A creative strategist with over 10 years of experience developing marketing strategies and guiding business development. An expert at translating brand objectives into creative strategies. Shiffman has worked with companies such as Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Absolut Vodka and Bed Bath & Beyond.. His internet marketing strategies and execution have resulted in millions of dollars in revenue for clients and his personal experience gives an advantage in elevating brands both offline and online.
