South Carolina Lawyer 8 (January 2012) Author reviews the most important developments in professional ethics in 2011: (i) Advertising – Amendments to South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct; (ii) Advertising – Groupon and similar services; (iii) Advertising—Misrepresentation on websites; (iv) Appointments – Just compensation for legal services; (v) Appointments – Right to counsel in civil […]
Committee on Professional Ethics Topic: Links on a Lawyer’s Web site to Other Businesses Digest of the Committee: A lawyer may include links to other businesses on the lawyer’s web site provided neither the link nor the linked material involves misrepresentation or causes confusion. Rules: New York Rules of Professional Conduct 5.8(a), 7.1, 8.4 The full […]
Committee on Professional Ethics Topic: Permissible Information on a Law Firm Website Digest of the Committee: A lawyer may accurately list, on his firm’s web site, his former positions in other firms. The web site may also accurately quote bona fide professional ratings or comments from any ratings publication if the ratings or comments are factually […]
Topic: Use of Live Chat Support Service on Law Firm Website From the Opinion “Opinion provides guidelines for the use of live chat support services on law firm websites”. The full text can be found at: http://www.ncbar…
Lawyers Cannot Misrepresent Their Amount of Experience, Kinds of Expertise, Availability of Locations and the Like in Their Websites, Even if the Website is Up Only for a Short Time On May 9, 2011, the South Carolina Supreme Court issued a decision in which it publicly reprimanded a lawyer, imposing a fine of $1,000, and […]
Committee on Professional Ethics Topic: Attorney Newsletters; Advertisement Digest of the Committee: Whether a publication by a lawyer or law firm is an ‘advertisement’ depends on its content, its intended purpose, and the targeted audience. With certain exceptions, if a publication is an advertisement, it must be labeled ‘Attorney Advertising,’ and if it makes certain […]
Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility – Formal Opinion 10-457 Topic: Lawyer Websites “Websites have become a common means by which lawyers communicate with the public. Lawyers must not include misleading information on websites, must be mindful of the expectations created by the website, and must carefully manage inquiries invited through the website. Websites that […]
Topic: Using Stock Photographs in Advertising From the Opinion “Opinion rules that a dramatization disclaimer is not required when using a stock photograph in an advertisement so long as, in the context of the advertisement, the stock photograph is not materially misleading.” The full text can be found at: http://www.ncbar…
Topic: Information on Verdicts, Settlements, and Memberships on a Lawyers’ Website From the Opinion “Opinion rules that a website may include a case summary sectionshowcasing successful verdicts and settlements if the section contains factually accurate information accompanied by an appropriate disclaimer and that any reference on the website to membership in an organization with a self-laudatory name […]
The New York City Bar Committee on Professional Ethics prepared a series of common questions regarding New York’s lawyer advertising and solicitation rules that were adopted within the past few years and included in the Rules of Professional Conduct that became effective in April 2009. The full text is available at http://www.nycbar.org…