Rule 7.4 - Communication of Fields of Specialty 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 de-signation. (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 pur-suant 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 In-diana Supreme Court hereby vests exclusive authority for accreditation of Independent Certify-ing Organizations that certify specialists in legal practice areas and fields in the Indiana Commis-sion 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.Ind. R. Prof'l. Cond. 7.4
Amended Nov. 27, 1990, effective 1/1/1991; Dec. 5, 1994, effective 2/1/1995; amended Nov. 25, 1997, effective 1/1/1998. Amended Oct. 15, 1998, effective 10/1/1998; amended Sep. 30, 2004, effective 1/1/2005; amended Oct. 14, 2010, effective 1/1/2011.Commentary [1] Paragraph (a) of this Rule permits a lawyer to indicate areas of practice in com-munications about the lawyer's services. If a lawyer practices only in certain fields, or will not accept matters except in a specified field or fields, the lawyer is permitted to so indicate.
[2] Paragraph (b) recognizes the long-established policy of the Patent and Trademark Office for the designation of lawyers practicing before the Office. Paragraph (c) recognizes that designation of Admiralty practice has a long historical tradition associated with maritime com-merce and the federal courts.