Ethics Opinions

ISBA Professional Conduct Advisory Opinion No. 12-14 Topic: Advertising and Solicitation; Communications with Client, Law Firm Partnership and Employment Agreements; Law Firms Digest of the ISBA: “After departure, an associate who has left a law firm may contact clients of the firm with whom he had an attorney-client relationship. The Rules of Professional Conduct do not […]

Topic: Use of Search Engine Company’s Keyword Advertisements From the Opinion “Opinion rules that it is a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct for a lawyer to select another lawyer’s name as a keyword for use in an Internet search engine company’s search-based advertising program”. The full text can be found at: http://www.ncbar…

Committee on Professional Ethics  Topic: Attorney advertising Digest of the Committee: “An advertisement that an attorney can “stop” a foreclosure proceeding is prohibited as false, misleading and deceptive.  If the advertisement were modified to make it accurate, it would have to be accompanied by a disclaimer that prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.” […]

Committee on Professional Ethics  Topic: Solicitation; advertising; public education for laypersons. Digest of the Committee: “A lawyer may ethically produce and post an internet video designed to educate lay individuals about a legal subject, and may distribute flyers to members of the public inviting them to view the video.  However, the lawyer must adhere to […]

Committee on Professional Ethics  Topic: Non-lawyer marketers; bonus compensation to non-lawyer based on number of clients. Digest of the Committee: “A law firm may ethically pay a bonus to a nonlawyer employee engaged in marketing based on the number of clients obtained through advertising provided the amount paid is not calculated with respect to fees […]

Committee on Professional Ethics Topic: Links to and from a Law Firm’s Website Digest of the Committee: “Assuming relevant advertising rules are adhered to, a law firm’s website may link to the website of a nonlegal entity, and vice versa.” Rules: New York Rules of Professional Conduct 1.0(a), 1.0(c), 7.1   The full text is […]

Committee on Professional Ethics  Topic: Advertising in internet directory Digest of the Committee: “(a) It is permissible for an attorney to be listed on a local bar association website directory, if the attorney is a member of the association, and the information about the attorney contained in the listing complies with the requirements of Rule […]

ISBA Professional Conduct Advisory Opinion No. 12-04 Topic: Advertising and Solicitation Digest of the ISBA: “Labeling communications to solicit professional employment as ‘promotional’ materials does not comply with requirements of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct to label such materials as ‘Advertising Material.’” References: Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 7.2 and 7.3(c); In the Matter of […]

ISBA Professional Conduct Advisory Opinion No. 12-03 Topic: Advertising and Solicitation; Confidentiality; Referral Fees and Arrangements Digest of the ISBA: “A lawyer may participate in a networking group with other service professionals which refers clients to one another if: (a) the reciprocal referrals are not exclusive; (b) the lawyer requests prior consent from the client to […]

Groupon and similar deal-of-the-day websites: is their use ethical for a lawyer? It seems so, according to a recent opinion of the Ethics Advisory Committee, but are the risks worth its while? Groupon is an online company that offers daily deals at local businesses. You can get discounts on manicure service, drinks, local restaurants . […]