Ethical Risks in Attorney Marketing via Blogs, Websites and Social Networks

Navigating Legal Ethics and Regulations in Online Advertising and Networking

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

Conducted on Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Recorded event now available

or call 1-800-926-7926
Program Materials

This Ethics CLE webinar will discuss how courts and state bars are addressing the legal 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 marketing legal services.

Description

Facebook, LinkedIn, You Tube and Twitter have joined blogs and firm websites as viable arenas for marketing. As more practitioners and firms view a social media presence as critical to promoting their practices, they must understand the ethical implications of using these new technologies.

In the past few years, many new ethics guidelines have been issued. In Aug. 2012, the ABA amended its Model Rules of Professional Conduct to expressly include Internet advertising ethics rules and address online client solicitation.

The use of social media by members of the judiciary poses specific risks. Several states have addressed the ethics of prosecutors and other attorneys friending judges on Facebook. Recent opinions and guidance provide clarity for how attorneys can govern themselves online and on social media sites.

Listen as our panel of experienced legal practitioners 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 and other networking sites to promote their services.

READ MORE

Outline

  1. Ethical risks inherent in and ethical rules governing online attorney marketing and networking
    1. Advertising rules
    2. Confidentiality
    3. Unauthorized or inadvertent practice of law
    4. Client solicitation
    5. Social media and the judiciary
  2. Recent developments in state ethical rules and court opinions
  3. Best practices for minimizing ethical pitfalls when marketing legal services

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key questions:

  • What are some of the key ethical concerns for practitioners 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 marketing of legal services on law firm websites, blogs and social networking sites?
  • What steps can practitioners take to minimize the risk of ethical violations resulting from online marketing?

Following the speaker presentations, you'll have an opportunity to get answers to your specific questions during the interactive Q&A.

Faculty

Ethan J. Wall
Ethan J. Wall
Atty
Richman Greer

He concentrates his practice in complex internet, intellectual property, and social media litigation. He has...  |  Read More

Jorge Espinosa
Jorge Espinosa
Founding Member
Espinosa | Trueba

His practice centers around the domestic and international protection of trademarks and copyrights. He works with...  |  Read More

Other Formats
— Anytime, Anywhere

Strafford will process CLE credit for one person on each recording. All formats include program handouts. To find out which recorded format will provide the best CLE option, select your state:

CLE On-Demand Audio

$297

Download

$297