At a Glance

• Main rules: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3. Rules 7.4 and 7.5 are repealed, but specialization and firm-name restrictions continue elsewhere.
• Responsible advertiser: Rule 7.2(d) requires the name and office address of at least one lawyer or law firm responsible for the communication.
• Solicitation: Live person-to-person solicitation motivated significantly by financial gain is restricted, with specific relationship and business-user exceptions.
• Filing and retention: The current advertising rules do not prescribe a general bar filing, advance approval or advertising-copy retention requirement. Separate telephone-solicitation law can require a notice filing.
• Claims and credentials: Advertising must not be false or misleading. Certified-specialist claims require a qualifying certification and identification of the certifier.

Rules 7.2(d), 7.4, 7.5

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Who Regulates

The Wyoming Supreme Court adopts the Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law. The Wyoming State Bar’s Office of Bar Counsel investigates potential violations within the disciplinary system. The Review and Oversight Committee and Board of Professional Responsibility have defined roles in that process, and the Supreme Court determines public discipline. The Bar’s disciplinary-process explanation describes those roles.

The rules’ text is authoritative. Their comments explain and illustrate how the rules apply, but do not independently add obligations. Bar educational material is useful guidance, not a substitute for the current court rules or an approval of a particular advertisement. See Scope paragraphs [14] and [21] accompanying the official rules.

Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

What Counts as Advertising

Rule 7.1 covers all communications about a lawyer or the lawyer’s services. Rule 7.2 allows information about those services through any media. Websites, search advertisements, social profiles, videos, brochures, directory entries and professional designations should therefore be reviewed for the same basic truthfulness and disclosure requirements.

A communication can mislead through an omitted fact, even when its individual statements are accurate. Comment [2] to Rule 7.1 also addresses communications that make a reasonable person believe further action is required when it is not. A marketing letter should not imitate a compulsory legal notice or invent an urgent need to respond.

Solicitation is a narrower category. Rule 7.3(a) concerns a communication initiated by or for a lawyer, directed to a specific person the lawyer knows or reasonably should know needs legal services in a particular matter, and offering those services. General-public advertising, responses to requests for information and communications automatically generated in response to electronic searches are distinguished in comment [1]. Rules 7.1–7.3.

Rules 7.1, 7.2, 7.3(a)

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Required Disclosures

Rule 7.2(d) expressly requires the name and office address of at least one lawyer or law firm responsible for a communication under that rule. Include both in the advertisement rather than assuming that a phone number, email address or linked website replaces the office address.

There is a drafting tension in the official publication: comment [12] describes contact information more broadly, listing a website, telephone number, email address or physical office location. The operative paragraph still says “office address.” Because the Scope provisions make the rule text authoritative, this guide follows the paragraph’s express requirement. A campaign that proposes another approach needs specific Wyoming ethics review.

A certified-specialist communication must clearly identify the certifying organization. Other qualifying language may be necessary to prevent a results claim, fee statement or trade name from misleading the audience. Current Rules 7.1–7.3 do not impose a general requirement to label every ad “Advertising Material” or append a universal specialization disclaimer. Do not substitute an old checklist for the current text. Rule 7.2 and comments.

Rules 7.1, 7.2, 7.3

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Filing, Review & Recordkeeping

The current text of Rules 7.1–7.3 does not establish a general requirement to file advertisements with the Bar, obtain approval before publication, or retain every advertisement for a specified period. That is a conclusion about these advertising provisions, not a statement that a campaign has no other filing or recordkeeping duties.

For example, W.S. 40-12-305 requires covered telephone solicitors or merchants making unsolicited telephonic sales calls and doing business in Wyoming to file a notice with the attorney general and designate an agent for service of process. Whether a campaign falls within the statutory definitions must be assessed before calls begin. This is distinct from filing an advertisement with the State Bar. Title 40, telephone-solicitation article.

As a practical review process, retain the final creative, its publication dates, the supporting facts for claims, client permissions and vendor instructions. This is a recommended compliance practice, not a fixed retention period created by Rule 7.2. Client files, trust records, litigation holds and other records require their own analysis.

Rules 7.1, 7.2, 7.3

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Results, Testimonials & Comparisons

A truthful result can still create an unjustified expectation that another client will receive the same outcome. Comment [3] to Rule 7.1 calls for attention to the factual and legal circumstances of each case. It also addresses unsubstantiated claims about services or fees and comparisons that appear capable of factual verification.

Explain what a result represents and any context necessary to keep the presentation accurate. Avoid a settlement figure that implies a guaranteed recovery or a superiority claim that the firm cannot support. An appropriate qualification may prevent a misleading impression, but a disclaimer is not a cure for a false headline. Rule 7.1, comments [2]–[4].

Testimonials and case stories also require a confidentiality check. Wyoming Rule 1.6 protects confidential information, and Rule 1.0(b) defines that term by reference to information not otherwise available to the public. Do not import another state’s broader wording or treat that distinction as permission to publish a client’s private facts. Obtain informed consent before using protected information unless a recognized exception actually applies. Rule 1.9(c) continues relevant duties for former clients. Comment [1] to Rule 7.2 expressly contemplates naming regularly represented clients with their consent. Rules 1.0, 1.6 and 1.9.

Rules 1.0(b), 1.6, 1.9(c), 7.1, 7.2

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Specialization & Certification

Wyoming distinguishes describing a practice focus from claiming specialist certification. Comment [9] to Rule 7.2 permits truthful statements that a lawyer concentrates, specializes or is a specialist in a field based on experience, specialized training or education, subject to Rule 7.1.

For a statement or implication that the lawyer is certified as a specialist, Rule 7.2(c) requires certification by an organization approved by an appropriate authority of the state, the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory, or accredited by the American Bar Association. The communication must clearly identify the certifying organization.

Comments [10] and [11] discuss patent and admiralty designations and qualifying certification arrangements. A directory award or paid badge is not automatically a qualifying certification. Verify the actual credential and its issuer before describing it. Rule 7.4’s repeal did not eliminate these restrictions. Rule 7.2(c) and comments [9]–[11].

Rules 7.1, 7.2(c), 7.4

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Firm, Trade & Domain Names

Rule 7.1’s comments address firm names, letterhead, website addresses and social-media usernames. Nonmisleading trade names are permitted. Names of retired or deceased members may be used when the necessary continuity in the firm’s identity exists.

A designation must not falsely imply affiliation with a government agency, public or charitable legal-services organization, nonlawyer, or lawyer who is not associated with the firm or a predecessor. A geographically named private “legal clinic” may need an express explanation that it is not a public legal-aid organization. Lawyers sharing an office cannot imply that they form one firm when they do not.

A lawyer holding public office should not remain part of the firm’s marketed identity during a substantial period when that lawyer is not actively and regularly practicing with it. These principles continue despite Rule 7.5’s repeal. Rule 7.1, comments [5]–[8].

Licensure claims need separate care. Rule 5.5(b)(2) prohibits a lawyer not admitted in Wyoming from holding out to the public or otherwise representing that the lawyer is admitted to practice law here, and W.S. 33-5-117 addresses advertising as an attorney by a person who is not a member of the Wyoming State Bar. Multistate marketing must accurately reflect the lawyer’s authorization to practice. Rule 5.5; W.S. 33-5-117.

Rules 5.5(b)(2), 7.1, 7.5

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Solicitation & Direct Contact

Rule 7.3(b) generally prohibits live person-to-person solicitation when financial gain is a significant motive. Its exceptions concern contact with another lawyer; a person with a family, close personal or prior professional relationship with the lawyer or firm; or someone who routinely uses the offered type of legal service for business purposes.

Comment [2] includes face-to-face meetings, live calls and other real-time visual or auditory encounters without time for reflection. It distinguishes chat rooms, text messages and other written communications that recipients can readily disregard. That distinction does not authorize misleading, coercive or unwanted outreach. Rule 7.3(c) prohibits solicitation after a person has made known a desire not to be solicited and prohibits coercion, duress and harassment.

The rule also addresses communications authorized by law or ordered by a tribunal, and carefully limited participation in independently operated prepaid or group legal-service plans. Do not turn those provisions into a general exception for a firm’s own sales agents. Rule 7.3 and all comments.

Telephone campaigns require a second review under W.S. 40-12-301–305. Covered unsolicited sales calls have opening-disclosure, calling-hour, do-not-call and caller-identification restrictions. Automated calling has separate restrictions and exceptions. The statute’s definitions and exclusions matter; satisfying an ethics-rule exception does not establish compliance with telephone-marketing law. Title 40.

Rule 7.3(c)

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Channel-Specific Notes

Review the full path from advertisement to intake, including vendor-written copy and landing pages. Rule 5.3 requires reasonable measures and supervision for nonlawyer assistance and identifies circumstances in which a lawyer is responsible for a nonlawyer’s conduct. Outsourcing marketing does not remove the lawyer’s obligations.

Rule 7.2(b) generally prohibits giving value for recommendations, with listed exceptions for reasonable advertising costs, qualifying plans or referral services, practice purchases, compliant reciprocal referrals and nominal appreciation gifts. A reciprocal arrangement must be nonexclusive and disclosed to the client. A nominal gift cannot be promised as compensation for future recommendations.

Comment [5] permits payment for nonrecommendation lead generation subject to Rules 1.5(e), 5.4 and 7.1. A paid service must not imply that it is recommending the lawyer, referring without payment, or analyzing a person’s legal problem to select the lawyer. Review what the service tells the consumer, not simply how its invoice labels the fee. Rule 7.2(b) and comments [2]–[8].

Wyoming’s commercial-email article separately addresses covered messages with false or misleading subject lines, concealed origin or transmission information, or unauthorized use of another party’s domain name. Email, texting and automated campaigns also need review under applicable federal communications law. This guide is not CAN-SPAM or TCPA clearance. W.S. 40-12-401–404.

Rules 1.5(e), 5.3, 5.4, 7.1, 7.2(b)

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Recent Changes & Scope

Source review date: November 12, 2026.

This guide uses the official professional-conduct compilation linked by the Wyoming Judicial Branch, identified as effective September 21, 2026, and the court’s professional-conduct amendment listings. The 2026 listed amendments concern Rules 1.15 and 6.1(b). The current advertising text reflects the 2019 restructuring and the relevant 2024 amendments. No later advertising-rule amendment was identified in those listings.

The office-address wording in Rule 7.2(d) and the broader language of comment [12] should remain a specific review point. A dated source check is not a guarantee that every pending proposal, later order or campaign-specific legal requirement has been identified. Recheck the current rules and amendments before relying on this guide for a new campaign.

Rules 1.15, 6.1(b), 7.2(d)

Read source: Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law

Official Sources

Read the official rules alongside other applicable law and obtain campaign-specific advice.

1. Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law: Rules 7.1–7.3, repealed 7.4/7.5, related rules and court-adopted comments.Official source · Checked November 12, 2026
2. Wyoming Judicial Branch rule page and amendment index: current compilation and adoption history.Official source · Checked November 12, 2026
3. June 25, 2019 order and February 6, 2024 order: amendments effective September 1, 2019 and April 15, 2024, respectively.Official source · Checked November 12, 2026
4. Wyoming Statutes, Title 33: attorney-admission and unauthorized-advertising provisions.Official source · Checked November 12, 2026
5. Wyoming Statutes, Title 40: telephone solicitation and commercial electronic mail.Official source · Checked November 12, 2026
6. Wyoming State Bar disciplinary-process explanation: official educational guidance on enforcement, distinct from the binding rules.Official source · Checked November 12, 2026

This guide provides general information, not legal advice or approval of any advertisement. Apply the current rules and other applicable law to the specific communication, audience and delivery method.