Rule 7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice and Specialization

Lawyers can tell the public what kinds of law they practice, like family law, criminal defense, or personal injury. They can also say if they don't handle certain types of cases. This helps people find a lawyer who fits their needs.

There are two special exceptions to this rule. A lawyer who is allowed to handle patent cases before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office can call themselves a "Patent Attorney." A lawyer who works in admiralty law (cases involving ships and ocean matters) can use the title "Admiralty" or "Proctor in Admiralty."

Outside of these two exceptions, West Virginia does not let lawyers claim to be certified specialists in any area of law. This means a lawyer cannot say or suggest that they hold some official certification as an expert in a specific legal field, even if they have a lot of experience in that area. The state simply doesn't have a system for certifying specialists, so lawyers can't claim that kind of title.