Cyberlawyers: The Ethics Pitfall

More and more attorneys are bringing their marketing dollars to the Internet. Virtual Lawyer for instance, is a site designed to help readers find legal advice about online identity theft, house and auto leasing, personal injury and much more. Each week their legal advice staff posts information about tools, information and links to websites that offer more legal information on topics featured.
The Web is limitless in opportunities and borders but there are ethical pitfalls to consider and prepare for. Cyberlawyers have no control over their target audience or where their marketing information will be viewed. Lawyers who appear to be soliciting clients from other states may be asking for trouble.

Attorneys must comply with individual state's rules for lawyer advertising, the opinion states. The site must include an actual office address, identify the lawyers primarily responsible for the site and identify the jurisdictional limits of the practice.

Prudent attorneys should research other jurisdictions' restrictions on advertising and cross border practice to ensure compliance before aggressively marketing and providing legal services on the net.