Rules · Law firms · Law Society of Ontario
Why most lawyers cannot call themselves specialists
In Ontario, specialist is a title you earn, not a word you choose.
The rule
The Law Society of Ontario runs a Certified Specialist program. Lawyers who meet its standards in a field of law can use the title. Everyone else cannot advertise themselves as a specialist, however much of their practice sits in that field.
The Rules of Professional Conduct also require that a lawyer’s marketing be accurate and not misleading. Words that imply a credential you do not hold, or an outcome you cannot promise, sit on the wrong side of that line.
There is plenty of honest ground. A practice can say what it does and does not take on, how long the lawyer has practised in an area, and who handles the file. Lisa Dang Immigration Law, for example, says the lawyer handles every file herself, from consultation to submission.
Precise, plain language does more for trust than a borrowed title. Clients choosing a lawyer are reading for care.
A plain-language read, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the source or ask us before you publish.