Michigan attorney advertising rules for law firms
Michigan is one of 51 US jurisdictions whose bar regulates lawyer advertising, mostly within the ABA Model Rules 7.1-7.5 framework. This page summarizes what Michigan's rule requires and prohibits, and what it means for your firm's marketing. Always confirm the current text with the regulator before you publish.
What the Michigan rule requires
Like most US jurisdictions, Michigan follows the American Bar Association's Model Rules 7.1-7.5 framework for lawyer advertising, adapted in its own rules of professional conduct. In summary, an advertisement must be truthful and not misleading, must not create unjustified expectations, and must follow the state's specific rules on disclaimers, testimonials, specialization claims and solicitation.
A lawyer's communications about legal services must be truthful and not false or misleading; must not compare services in a way that can't be factually substantiated; must observe the rules on stating or implying a specialization or certification; and must include any disclaimer the jurisdiction requires.
Summary of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 7.1-7.5 - this is a plain-language summary, not the verbatim rule. Confirm the current text and rule number with the regulator.
Verify before you publish. Rule numbers and requirements change. Before running any campaign in Michigan, confirm the current rule text with the governing authority. Rule Seven cites the governing rule on every ad and page we produce for Michigan firms.
The lines Michigan marketing can't cross
- False or misleading statements of fact
- Claims that create unjustified expectations
- Unsubstantiated comparisons with other lawyers
- Improper "specialist" or certification claims
- Prohibited solicitation of prospective clients
- Testimonials or past results without a required disclaimer
What this means for your Michigan marketing
In practice, a compliant Michigan campaign keeps three habits: every claim is substantiable, every required disclaimer is present, and no ad promises an outcome. That's exactly how we build. A firm marketing in Michigan should be able to point to the rule behind each ad - and 0 of 17 agencies we audited in 2026 cited rule numbers at all.
- Substantiate everything. If you can't prove a claim, it doesn't run.
- Disclaimer discipline. Where Michigan requires a disclaimer, it appears - not in fine print no one reads.
- No outcome promises. We never publish guarantees of results, which every bar prohibits.
Michigan advertising-rule questions
Q. Which rule governs lawyer advertising in Michigan?
the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (Rules 7.1-7.5), adopted by the Michigan Supreme Court governs it, within the ABA Model Rules 7.1-7.5 framework. Confirm the current rule number and text with the regulator, as details change.
Q. Can a Michigan firm advertise past case results?
Often yes, but usually only with a required disclaimer and only if the claim is truthful and not misleading. The specifics are set by Michigan's rule - verify before publishing.
Q. Are testimonials allowed in Michigan?
Testimonials are generally permitted if they aren't false or misleading and carry any disclaimer the jurisdiction requires. We keep every testimonial inside Michigan's rule.
Q. Does Rule Seven handle Michigan compliance?
We cite the governing Michigan rule on every ad and page we produce and keep claims substantiable - but your firm remains responsible for compliance with Michigan's rules of professional conduct.
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Last reviewed . This summary is not legal advice; confirm the current Michigan rule with the regulator.