Legalethics.com

California lawyers may not communicate with mass disaster victims via Internet chat rooms

Peterk — Thu, 13 Jan 2005 03:45:09 +0000

While an lawyer’s communication with a prospective fee-paying client in the mass disaster victims Internet chat room is not a prohibited solicitation such communication is improper as it is delivered to a prospective client whom the attorney knows may not have the requisite emotional or mental state to make a reasonable judgment about retaining counsel. See COPRAC opinion 2004-166

Lawyers may not solicit prospective clients through Internet chat rooms

Peterk — Sun, 20 Aug 2000 04:00:00 +0000

Lawyers may not solicit prospective clients through Internet chat rooms, defined as real time communications between computer users. See Florida Bar Adv. Op. A-00-1 (August 15, 2000).

West Virginia Rules of Conduct apply to all electronic communications about the services of lawyers who practice in West Virginia

Peterk — Sat, 21 Nov 1998 03:22:18 +0000

West Virginia Rules of Conduct apply to all electronic communications about the services of lawyers who practice in West Virginia, regardless of where the communication originates. Opinion 98-03 (October 16, 1998). Websites, new groups, and e-mail are all potential forms of advertising and solicitation. State rules apply to any commuications sent or directed to West Virginia residents specifically, even if the communications are from lawyers who are not admitted in West Virginia.

Vermont lawyer websites are subject to applicable ethics rules

Peterk — Mon, 09 Nov 1998 01:58:54 +0000

Vermont advertising rules apply to Web sites, but the opinion may change with push technology where lawyers can direct information to subscribers. Opinion 97-05 This could raise solicitation and direct mail issues.Internet “home page” is not “directed to a specific recipient” and is similar to a phone book’s “yellow pages.” Importantly, the Vermont Committee stated specifically that it did NOT address the use of push technology, chat rooms, news groups, discussion groups, or other “potentially interactive means of communicating.”

Utah lawyers may advertise via Internet website

Peterk — Tue, 11 Nov 1997 02:17:30 +0000

Utah lawyers may operate and maintain a website and post advertisements to newsgroups, provided they comply with Rule 7. Opinion 97-10 (October 24, 1997) Advertising through e-mail messages, which are directed to specific recipients, is generally permissible unless it violates Rule 7.3(b). Attorneys’ participation in “chat groups” is considered to be an “in person” communication and subject to the restrictions of rule 7.3(a).

Illinois websites are advertising and may implicate solicitation rules

Peterk — Mon, 03 Jun 1996 22:22:19 +0000

Lawyer web sites are equivalent to telephone directory yellow pages. ISBA Opinion 96-10. (May 16, 1997). Participation in bulletin board, chat group, or similar service may implicate solicitation rules. If lawyer seeks to initiate an unrequested contact with a specific person as a result of participation in a chat room or bulletin board, then lawyer subject to solicitation rules and messages must be labeled as advertising materials.