Why Wyoming State Bar Does Not Allow Lawyers to Specialize in a Specific Branch of Law
The Wyoming State Bar has a specific stance on lawyer specialization that often confuses aspiring and experienced legal professionals alike. While it does not outright prohibit lawyers from specializing in a particular area of law, it does restrict the way these specializations can be advertised.
Specialization vs. Advertising
One of the key points to understand is that the Wyoming State Bar does not prohibit specialization. Instead, it prohibits advertising that one is a specialist in a particular area of law. This means that a lawyer can certainly focus exclusively on real estate transactions, criminal cases, family law, or any other legal specialty they choose. However, they cannot make claims suggesting that they are officially recognized as ‘specialists’ in these fields.
Reasons Behind the Policy
The primary reason behind this policy lies in the state's small population and relatively small number of attorneys. Wyoming has approximately 1700 licensed attorneys, which makes it challenging to support highly specialized practice areas. If a lawyer were to limit their practice to a specific area – say tax law – they might struggle to find enough cases to maintain a financially stable practice.
This situation is quite different from states like Texas or California, where there are thousands of attorneys handling every conceivable type of case. In Wyoming, a more diverse practice ensures that lawyers can maintain their financial viability and continue serving their communities.
Practical Implications for Law Practice
Many lawyers in Wyoming choose to limit their practice areas based on personal interest and experience rather than formal certification. A lawyer might choose to handle only family law cases because they enjoy the personal satisfaction of helping families resolve disputes, or they might focus on criminal defense due to their passion for advocacy. However, they cannot officially claim certification to be a specialist in these areas without running afoul of the Wyoming State Bar's policies.
In practical terms, this means that a lawyer could advertise their experience and success in a particular area, but they may not use the term 'specialist' or 'certified specialist.' For example, they can state, 'I have over 10 years of experience in family law,' but not 'I am a certified family law specialist.' This approach ensures transparency and honesty with clients while respecting the legal standards set by the Wyoming State Bar.
Conclusion
While the Wyoming State Bar does not prohibit lawyers from specializing in specific areas of law, they do not recognize or certify such specializations. This policy is a practical necessity given the state's small legal community. However, many lawyers still find ways to build niche practices without officially claiming specialist status. This approach not only ensures they remain viable but also provides valued, specialized legal services to their clients.