Terms & Conditions
Usage Guidelines
Permitted and Non-Permitted Uses of the Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Rating Icon Marks ("Icon Marks") and the AV®, BV® and CV® Certification Marks ("Martindale-Hubbell Ratings Marks" or "Ratings Marks")
The Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Ratings Icon Marks ("Icon Marks") are service marks owned by Reed Elsevier Properties Inc. and used under license by Martindale-Hubbell to identify the lawyer ratings services conducted and administered by Martindale-Hubbell. Peer evaluations establish ratings on a lawyer's legal ability and ethical standards - the CV, BV and AV certification marks are owned by Reed Elsevier Properties Inc. ("Martindale-Hubbell Ratings Marks" or "Ratings Marks").
Martindale-Hubbell Ratings Marks
Permitted Uses by Rated Attorneys and Law Firms
It is expected that, wherever possible, when the Ratings Marks are used, the Icon Marks will also appear. If the Icon Marks will not also appear, the phrase "Peer Review Rated" should follow the display of the Ratings Mark. When both the Ratings Marks and Icon Marks are displayed, the guidelines for use of both the Ratings Marks and the Icon Marks must be observed.
Rated attorneys and law firms may use the Martindale-Hubbell Certification Marks AV®, BV®, CV® under the following circumstances, and with the appropriate approved Certification Mark Reference or Rating Explanation as noted below:
Printed Communications
- Law firm brochures
- Attorney resumes or curricula vitae
- Firm or individual attorney letterhead
- Business cards *
- Professional announcements
- Listings in other legal directories directed to attorneys - prior written consent is required for directories not published by Martindale-Hubbell to ensure that the policies and standards for use of the marks are observed and the function of the marks is preserved.
Internet applications
- Websites
- Martindale-Hubbell¨ Lawyer Homepages/Lawyer homepages
- Email communications
- Internet banner advertisements
Printed communications (i.e. law firm brochures, attorney resumes, legal directories), printed professional announcements and Internet Applications must include the following Certification Mark Reference:
"CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies."
Printed professional announcements, and all print and CD-ROM based legal directories must include the Certification Mark Reference AND the following Rating Explanation:
Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.
Internet Applications must include the Certification Mark Reference AND either the Rating Explanation identified above OR a link to a web page maintained by Martindale-Hubbell which contains the approved explanation.
Web-based legal directories targeted to lawyers and law firms will be required to have a link to a Web page maintained by Martindale-Hubbell which contains the approved Certification Mark Reference and Rating Explanation.
* Please note, business cards are not required to include the Certification Mark Reference or Rating Explanation; however, this information must be posted on other Printed Communications or Internet Applications offered by the Rated Attorney.
Non-permitted uses
Use or mention of the Martindale-Hubbell Ratings is not allowed in:
- Yellow Page advertisements
- Newspaper advertisements
- Outdoor advertisements (billboards, buses, benches, etc.)
- Political pieces or advertisements/campaign promotions
- Radio and television commercials
- "Letters to the Editor" or similar articles or opinion pieces that are public commentary or reflect the personal opinions of the rated attorney or firm
When to Contact Martindale-Hubbell
If the Martindale-Hubbell Ratings Marks are to be used in a format that is not identified above as a permitted usage, then the user must contact Martindale-Hubbell Rating Services to obtain written permission prior to use. Permission will be predicated upon the specific guidelines/format set forth by Martindale-Hubbell being met. Permission may be revoked at any time for failure to comply with said specific guidelines/format or for any reason within the discretion of Martindale-Hubbell as the entity responsible for the protection of the certification marks.
Inquiries
Questions about the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings system, use of the Icon Marks and the AV¨, BV¨ and CV¨ Certification Marks can be sent by email to ratings@martindale.com or by mail to:
Peer Review Ratings Services
LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
121 Chanlon Road
New Providence, NJ 07974
CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks and Martindale-Hubbell is a registered service mark and trademark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used under license.