What Virginia and DC Bar Rules Actually Say About Your Marketing
Plain English guide to Virginia Rules 7.1–7.5 and the DC equivalents: what you can claim, what you cannot, and where the two differ.
Most advertising problems we see are not deliberate. A firm copies a claim from a national template, publishes a case result without context, or uses the word "specialist" because a competitor does. This guide explains the Virginia and DC rules that govern lawyer advertising in plain English, so you can review your own website, ads and social posts with a sharper eye.
What is inside
- The general rule against false or misleading communications, and what "misleading" covers in practice
- Case results, testimonials and endorsements: what context they need
- Solicitation: where Virginia and DC draw the line on direct contact
- Specialist and expert claims, certifications and firm names
- Where the two jurisdictions differ, and what that means for firms licensed in both
- A one-page checklist to review your own marketing
General information, not legal advice. This guide is general information about marketing, not legal advice. NEXU Legal Marketing is not a law firm. Rules change and are interpreted by courts and bar authorities; read the current rules and any applicable ethics opinions, and consult ethics counsel for questions about your own advertising.