Case Result Claims: What Bar Rules Allow You to Say About Past Verdicts

A strong past verdict or settlement is one of the most persuasive things a law firm can put in front of a prospective client, and it's also the piece of content bar rules scrutinize hardest. Almost every state requires some version of the same disclaimer: past results don't guarantee a similar outcome in your case.

The Disclaimer Nearly Every State Requires

Referencing a past verdict, settlement, or case result generally requires a disclaimer stating that results depend on the specific facts of each case and that past outcomes don't guarantee a similar result. The exact required language varies by state, but the underlying principle is consistent across nearly every jurisdiction with attorney advertising rules.

Why the Disclaimer's Placement Matters as Much as Its Wording

Several state bars have specifically flagged firms for using the correct disclaimer language but placing it somewhere a reasonable visitor wouldn't actually see it in connection with the claim, a tiny footer note far below a prominently displayed settlement figure, for example. The standard most states apply is that the disclaimer needs to be clear and conspicuous relative to the claim, not just present somewhere on the page.

Selective Results and What "Misleading" Actually Means Here

Publishing only your firm's largest verdicts without context about typical outcomes can itself be considered misleading in some jurisdictions, separate from the disclaimer requirement. A results page built entirely around outlier cases, without any framing about what's typical, runs a different kind of risk than a missing disclaimer, one tied to the broader "not false or misleading" standard every state applies.

Aggregate Results and Statistics Face Their Own Scrutiny

Claims like "we've recovered over $X million for our clients" carry their own substantiation requirement, the figure needs to be accurate and verifiable, and some states require additional context about how that total was calculated (settlements versus verdicts, gross recovery versus after fees and costs) to avoid being misleading about what a prospective client might actually expect to recover.

Tridigiam builds results pages with the required disclaimer directly attached to each claim, not relegated to a separate disclaimers page. We're not a law firm and this isn't legal advice, your state bar's specific rule and your own counsel make the final call. For the broader picture on legal services marketing, see our Legal Services Marketing guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can a law firm advertise a specific settlement amount?

Generally yes, with the required disclaimer clearly attached to the claim and accurate representation of the figure. Some states restrict this further for specific practice areas, so check your jurisdiction's specific rule.

Does an aggregate "total recovered" figure need special disclosure?

Often yes. Beyond accuracy, several states expect clarity on whether the figure represents gross recovery or net of fees, and whether it combines settlements and verdicts, to avoid setting unrealistic expectations.

Is it a violation to only publish your best results?

It can be, depending on the state and how the results are framed. Presenting outlier cases without context that could reasonably mislead a prospective client about typical outcomes is treated as a "not misleading" standard issue, separate from the disclaimer requirement itself.

Where should the required disclaimer actually appear on the page?

Directly connected to the claim it qualifies, ideally immediately adjacent to the specific result, not in a separate footer or disclaimers page a visitor would need to navigate to find.