Generally for All States: The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise.
Memberships and offices in legal fraternities and legal societies, technical
and professional licenses, and memberships in scientific, technical and
professional associations and societies of law or field of practice do not
mean that a lawyer is a specialist or expert in a field of law, nor do they
mean that such a lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any
other lawyer. All potential clients are urged to make their own independent
investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered. This notice is
required by rule of the Supreme Court of various states. For additional
notices, please read below:
Alabama: No representation is made that the quality of the legal services
to be performed is greater than the quality of the legal services performed
by other lawyers.
Alaska: The Alaska Bar Association does not certify that an attorney
possesses specialized training or skill in a particular field of law.
Colorado: Colorado does not certify attorneys as specialists in any field.
Delaware: Listing of areas of practice does not represent official
certification as a specialist in those areas.
Hawaii: The State of Hawaii does not review or approve certifying
organizations.
Illinois: The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications
of specialties in the practice of law. The certificate, award or recognition
is not a requirement to practice law in Illinois.
Iowa: The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon
advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. "Notice to the Public: A
description or indication of limitation of practice does not mean that any
agency or board has certified such lawyer as a specialist or expert in an
indicated field of law practice, nor does it mean that such lawyer is
necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer. All
potential clients are urged to make their own independent investigation and
evaluation of any lawyer being considered. This notice is required by rule
of the Supreme Court of Iowa."
Kentucky: This is an advertisement. Kentucky law does not certify
specialties of legal practice."
Minnesota: An attorney who is certified as a specialist under the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) may communicate the fact that the attorney is certified by the particular certifying agency as a specialist in the area of law involved.
Mississippi: Listing of area(s) of practice does not indicate any
certification of expertise therein.
Missouri: Except references to patent and admiralty practice, "Neither the
Supreme Court of Missouri nor the Missouri Bar reviews or approves
certifying organizations or specialist designations.
Nevada: Neither the State Bar of Nevada nor any agency of the State Bar has
certified any lawyer identified here as a specialist or as an expert. Anyone
considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer's
credentials and ability.
North Carolina: Representations of specialty do not indicate state
certification of expertise.
Rhode Island: Rhode Island does not have a procedure for certification or
recognition of specialization by lawyers.
South Dakota: Certification by the NBTA is approved in South Dakota by
virtue of ABA accreditation. "Notice: For the general information of the
public. Attorneys listing areas of practice...have not been certified by the
State Supreme Court of South Dakota, or the state bar of South Dakota, as
having any more experience or being any more competent in these areas than
any other attorney. All potential clients are urged to make their own
independent investigation and evaluation of any attorney being considered.
Tennessee: Tennessee does not certify specialists in the law, and we do not claim certification in any listed area.
Texas: Dov Apfel is not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Texas has a Rule to recognize private certifiers such as NBTA.
Washington: The Supreme Court of Washington does not recognize
certification of specialties in the practice of law and the certificate,
award, or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in the State of
Washington.
Please Note:
This web site is not intended as legal advice on cerebral palsy, and is not a substitute for obtaining guidance from your own legal counsel about cerebral palsy litigation. It provides general educational information about the standards of care and causation issues that can arise in obstetrical malpractice and cerebral palsy litigation. Readers of the articles contained within this web site should not act upon the cerebral palsy information without first consulting with a lawyer who is experienced in evaluating and litigating cerebral palsy and obstetrical malpractice cases. Mr. Apfel is admitted to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. When Mr. Apfel is asked to participate in cerebral palsy
litigation filed in other states, he will associate with, and act as co-counsel with, an attorney licensed in that state who is familiar with the local laws and procedures.