Attorney Advertising via Blogs, Websites and Social Networks: Ethical Risks

Navigating Legal Ethics and Regulations in Marketing Legal Services

Recording of a 90-minute CLE webinar with Q&A

This program is included with the Strafford CLE Pass. Click for more information.
This program is included with the Strafford All-Access Pass. Click for more information.

Conducted on Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Recorded event now available

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Course Materials

This CLE course will provide an overview of how courts and state bars are addressing ethics issues arising from attorneys’ use of social networking sites, law firm websites and blogs to promote their services. The panelists will discuss how to stay on the right side of the ethics line when advertising legal services.

Description

Social networking websites, law firm websites and blogs are common communication and marketing tools for attorneys and firms. However, attorneys who use these tools to attract clients face serious ethical risks.

Attorneys attempting to apply ethical rules established when print advertising was the norm to electronic marketing face a number of challenges. Unfortunately, there are few clear guidelines from the courts and bar associations on potential ethical violations triggered by electronic advertising.

Listen as our panel of experienced ethics attorneys explains recent developments among courts and state bar associations regarding the ethical issues invoked by attorneys’ use of social networking sites, law firm websites and blogs to promote their services. The panelists will provide their insights on the legal and regulatory future for prospective client communications occurring via websites and blogs.

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Outline

  1. Facebook, Twitter, law firm websites and blogs—current trends in attorney advertising
    1. Business trends
    2. Recent developments with state ethics rules
  2. Ethics related to electronic attorney advertising
    1. What ethical rules apply to attorneys advertising through websites and blogs?
    2. How can attorneys and law firms implement those rules?
    3. What is the impact of the Internet’s ability to reach prospective clients outside of an attorney’s jurisdiction? Does this change the application/implementation of the rules concerning web-based advertising?
    4. How can attorneys/firms deal with the uncertainty and risk of the choice-of-law rule?
    5. How does the FTC address attorney advertising via electronic media?

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key questions:

  • What are some of the key ethical concerns for attorneys who use websites, blogs and social networking sites to communicate with prospective clients?
  • How are the courts and state bar associations currently handling allegations of ethics violations involving attorney advertising on law firm websites, blogs and social networking sites?
  • What steps can attorneys take to minimize the risk of ethical violations and malpractice claims resulting from electronic advertising?

Faculty

Devika Kewalramani
Devika Kewalramani
Partner
Moses & Singer

She is co-chair of the firm's Legal Ethics & Law Firm Practice, which advises law firms, lawyers and legal...  |  Read More

Benjamin Cowgill
Benjamin Cowgill
Counselor and Attorney at Law

He counsels and represents Kentucky lawyers, out-of-state lawyers and applicants for admission to the Bar in a wide...  |  Read More

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