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Pennsylvania
Contact Information
Complaints
The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Union Trust Building, Suite 400
501 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 565-3173
Fax: (412) 565-7833
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State Bar
Pennsylvania Bar Association
100 South Street
P.O. Box 186
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Phone: (717) 238-6715
Fax: (717) 238-1204
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Status
There is an opinion dated September 26, 1997 (Opinion 97-130) dealing with e-mail confidentiality issues. Opinion 97-130 was drafted by a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility. It is NOT an official opinion of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Inquiry #96-17, addressed the following:
- If Web Page Set contains communications about the lawyer or the lawyer's services, it is lawyer advertising.
- Web Page Set is not in-person solicitation prohibited under Rule 7.3(a), but qualifies as a "public media" advertisement referenced in Rule 7.2(a).
- Rule 7.2 copy retention and other requirements (identify one attorney responsible for advertisement, disclosure of geographic location) apply to Web Page Set.
- Open question of applicability of other states' rules to Pennsylvania law firm's Web Page Set.
Rules and Regulations
The Internet -- Hip Or Hype? Legal Ethics and the Internet The Internet -- Hip Or Hype? Legal Ethics and the Internet, by Professors Catherine J. Lanctot and James Edward Maule of the Villanova University Law School, offers a good outline of ethical issues raised by Internet use.
The Philadelphia Bar Association's Professional Guidance Committee provides, upon request, advice for lawyers facing or anticipating facing ethical dilemmas. Advice is based on the consideration of the facts of the particular inquirer's situation and the Rules of Professional Conduct as promulgated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The Committee's opinions are advisory only and are based upon the facts set forth. The opinions are not binding upon the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania or any other Court. They carry only such weight as an appropriate reviewing authority may choose to give it.
Potential Issues
- Rule 7.1: No false or misleading communication.
- Rule 7.2: Retain copy of advertisement for two years.
- Rule 7.4, 7.6: Identification of attorney as specialist.
Other Local Associations
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