CHARLESTON, S.C. - South Carolina lawyers could no longer give themselves nicknames like "the heavy hitter" or say they are the best type of attorney in the state under new rules being considered by a law ethics panel.

The new rules also would eliminate testimonials made by happy clients showing settlement checks.

"These sorts of boasts imply something that isn't true, that 'I am the Hercules of the law profession,' that 'I am Superman,' " said Charleston attorney Tim Bouch, chairman of the state Supreme Court's Rules Commission. "Would you pick a doctor that way?"

The commission will hold a public hearing about the proposal Wednesday morning.

Advertising rules aren't the only issue the committee has taken up. For the past two years, it has been reforming the state Supreme Court's ethics guidelines governing all 11,500 attorneys licensed to practice law in South Carolina. The group's 227-page document covers just about every facet of the legal profession.

But the most visible change would be in advertising.

The rules include a clause making attorneys responsible for every part of their advertising. If the ad makes unrealistic claims or promises, sanctions ranging from private or public reprimands to license suspensions could follow.

The proposal specifically lists two lawyers who advertise the most in the state. Bill Green's boast as "the heavy hitter" and Akim Anastopoulo nickname as the "strong arm" would both be outlawed under the new rules.

Green said he can't do much if the proposal is enacted because the state Supreme Court is the governing body for lawyer conduct in South Carolina.

But Green defends his "heavy hitter" nickname and says advertising is important.

"It tells them what lawyers are available to represent them in different kinds of legal matters. I'm proud of the ads we've run," Green said.

Anastopoulo said he would comply, but he thinks critics are missing the point. "What we're saying is that we will do whatever we can for our client," he said.