Do you have the following skills or expertise?
Below in the screenshot is an example of Linkedin asking me the above question. By default the “Yes” button is highlighted, but I clicked the “X” at the top right because I am not Board Certified by the Florida Bar and thus I cannot say that I am an expert, even though I have over 8 years or so practicing personal injury law.
Florida Bar rules state that even lawyers who devote their entire legal career to one area of law cannot claim to be an expert or specialist unless they are board certified. See Rule 4-7.2(c)(3), Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. The problem with a Florida lawyer clicking the “yes” button (as see in the screenshot above) is that they are stating that they have skills or expertise in a particular practice area(s). Saying that you have skills in a particular practice area is ok, but you cannot say that you have expertise unless you are Board Certified by the Florida Bar.
If you click “Yes”, the “SKILLS & EXPERTISE” section will appear on your Linkedin Profile as seen in the screenshot below. When it appears, it does not say “Skills or Expertise”, it says “Skills & Expertise.”
Although it may be tempting to check “Yes” if you are not Board Certified by the Florida Bar, the consequences of a bar complaint (stress, damaged reputation, a fine, attorney’s fees or increased professional liability insurance premiums) outweigh the benefits gained by having these skills & expertise listed on your Linkedin profile.