Law Firm Advertising (Website and Email Content Issues)

Ethics Opinions

• CAL 2016-196: Attorney Blogging
• CAL 2012-186: Social Networking
• LA 525: Ethical Duties of Lawyers in Connection with Adverse Comments Published by a Former Client
• SF 2014-1: May an attorney respond to a negative online review by a former client alleging incompetence but not disclosing any confidential information where the former client's matter has concluded?  If so, may the attorney reveal confidential information in providing such a response?  Does the analysis change if the former client's matter has not concluded?
• ABA Formal Opinion 465: Lawyers' Use of Deal-of-the-Day Marketing Programs
• Ohio Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline Opinion 2013-2: Direct Contact with Prospective Clients:Text Messages
• Delaware Ethics Opinion 2008-2 (2008): Use of the designation "Super Lawyer" or "Best Lawyer" on a lawyer's website or in an email solicitation
• Michigan Ethics Opinion RI-341 (2007): Lawyer named “Super Lawyer” may advertise it
• New York State Bar Association Ethics Opinion 1101 (2016): Advertising; dual practice; link from law firm's website to real estate brokerage information
• New York State Bar Association Ethics Opinion 888 (2011): Links on a lawyer's web site to other businesses
• New York State Bar Association Ethics Opinion 877 (2011): Permissible material on a firm’s website.
• North Carolina State Bar 2018 Formal Ethics Opinion 8: Lawyer may advertise the lawyer's inclusion in Super Lawyers and other similar publications subject to certain conditions.
• Oregon State Bar Formal Opinion 2007-180: Internet Advertising: Payment of Referral Fees
• South Carolina Ethics Opinion 09-10 (2010): May a South Carolina lawyer claim his or her Company X website listing, including peer endorsements, client ratings, and Company X ratings?  May a lawyer invite peers and clients to post comments and/or rate the lawyer?
• Virginia State Bar Legal Ethics Opinion 1873 (2014): Continued Use of Former Firm Name in URL After Firm Name has Changed
• Washington State Ethics Opinion 2070 (2004): Linking to the lawyer rating & directory company's independent attorney ratings on a firm's website
• Washington State Ethics Opinion 2008 (2003): Inclusion of the logo for Best Lawyers in America and that the lawyer had the highest rating in advertisements

Articles

• Citing twin law firm websites (1 real, 1 fake), bar group urges public to beware, ABA Journal, August 2015, Martha Neil
• common.sense (What happens to the old firm's web address and URL?), Virginia Lawyers Weekly. February 2014, Paul Fletcher
• Lawyer's response to client's bad Avvo review leads to disciplinary complaint, ABA Journal, September 2013, Debra Cassens Weiss
• State Bar Ethics Opinions on Internet and Technology Use, The Bottom Line, LPMT, December 2011, Andrew Tuft
• 'Flash sales' for legal services?, California Bar Journal, November 2011, Diane Karpman