A lawyer shall not seek to avoid appointment by a tribunal to represent a person except for good cause, such as:

(a) representing the client is likely to result in violation of these Rules or other law;

(b) representing the client is likely to result in an unreasonable financial burden on the lawyer; or

(c) the client or the cause is so repugnant to the lawyer as to be likely to impair the client-lawyer relationship or the lawyer's ability to represent the client.

Adopted February 8, 1990, effective August 1, 1990.

Rule 6.3. Membership in Legal Services Organization

A lawyer may serve as a director, officer or member of a not-for-profit legal services organization, apart from the law firm in which the lawyer practices, notwithstanding that the organization serves persons having interests adverse to a client of the lawyer or law firm. The lawyer shall not participate in a decision or action of the organization if the lawyer knows that:

(1) participation in the decision would be incompatible with the lawyer's obligations to a client under Rule 1.7; or

(2) the decision or action could have a material adverse effect on the representation of a client of the organization whose interests are adverse to a client of the lawyer.

Adopted February 8, 1990, effective August 1, 1990.

Rule 6.4. Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interests

A lawyer may serve as a director, officer or member of an organization involved in reform of the law or its administration notwithstanding that the actions of the organization may affect the interests of a client of the lawyer. When the lawyer knows that the interests of a client may be materially benefited by a decision in which the lawyer participates, the lawyer shall reveal that fact to the organization but need not identify the client.

Adopted February 8, 1990, effective August 1, 1990.

Rule 7.1. Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services

A lawyer shall not make a false or misleading communication about the lawyer or the lawyer's services. A communication is false or misleading if it:

(a) contains a material misrepresentation of fact or law, or omits a fact necessary to make the statement considered as a whole not materially misleading;

(b) is likely to create an unjustified expectation about results the lawyer can achieve, or states or implies that the lawyer can achieve results by means that violate these Rules or other law; or

(c) compares the lawyer's services with other lawyers' services, unless the comparison can be factually substantiated.

Adopted February 8, 1990, effective August 1, 1990.

Rule 7.2. Advertising

(a) Subject to the requirements of Rule 7.1, a lawyer may advertise services through public media, such as telephone directories, legal directories, newspapers or other periodicals, billboards, radio or television, or through written communication not involving solicitation as defined in Rule 7.3, provided:

(1) a copy or recording of the advertisement or written communication is kept for three years after its last dissemination along with a record of when and where it was used; and

(2) any communication made pursuant to Rules 7.1 and 7.2 includes the name of at least one lawyer responsible for its content.

Adopted February 8, 1990, effective August 1, 1990.

Rule 7.3. Direct Contact With Prospective Clients

Except as provided in this Rule 7.3, or as permitted by Rule 7.2, a lawyer shall not, directly or through a representative, solicit professional employment when a significant motive for doing so is the lawyer's pecuniary gain. The term "solicit" means contact with a person other than a lawyer in person, by telephone or telegraph, by letter or other writing, or by other communication directed to a specific recipient.

(a) Except as provided in Rule 7.3

(b), a lawyer may initiate contact with a prospective client for the purpose of solicitation in the following circumstances:

(1) if the prospective client is a relative, or a close friend of the lawyer, or a person with whom the lawyer or the lawyer's firm has had a prior professional relationship;

(2) by letters or advertising circulars, providing that such letters and circulars and the envelopes containing them are plainly labeled as advertising material; or

(3) under the auspices of a public or charitable legal services organization or a bona fide political, social, civic, charitable, religious, fraternal, employee or trade organization whose purposes include but are not limited to providing or recommending legal services.

(b) In no event may a lawyer solicit a prospective client if:

(1) the lawyer reasonably should know that the physical or mental state of theperson is such that the person could not exercise reasonable judgment in employing a lawyer; (2) the lawyer knows that the person solicited does not desire to receive a communication from the lawyer; or

(3) the solicitation involves coercion, duress, or harassment.

Adopted February 8, 1990, effective August 1, 1990.

Rule 7.4. Communication of Fields of Practice

(a) A lawyer or law firm may specify or designate any area or field of law in which the lawyer or firm concentrates or limits the practice of law. In this regard, a lawyer or firm may specify:

(1) a description of the types of legal matters in which the lawyer or firm will accept employment and a statement as to whether the lawyer or firm concentrates or limits the practice of law to one or more particular fields; and

(2) other information about the lawyer or firm, the practice engaged in, or the types of legal matters in which employment will be accepted, which a reasonable person might regard as relevant in determining whether to seek the services offered.

(b) The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law, nor does it recognize certifications of expertise in any phase of the practice of law by any agency, governmental or private, or by any group, organization or association. However:

(1) a lawyer admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office may use the designation

(2) a lawyer engaged in trademark practice may use the designation "Trademarks," "Trademark Attorney" or "Trademark Lawyer," or any combination of those terms; or

(3) a lawyer engaged in admiralty practice may use the designation "Admiralty," "Proctor in Admiralty" or "Admiralty Lawyer," or any combination of those terms.

c) Except when identifying certificates, awards or recognitions issued to him by an agency or organization, a lawyer may not use the terms "certified," "specialist," "expert," or any other, similar terms to describe his qualifications as a lawyer or his qualifications in any subspecialty of the law. If such terms are used to identify any certificates, awards or recognitions issued by any agency, governmental or private, or by any group, organization or association, the reference must meet the following requirements:

(1) the reference must be truthful and verifiable and may not be misleading in violation of Rule 7.1;

(2) the reference must state that the Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and that the certificate, award or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in Illinois.