Truth in Adverstising

As attorneys, we, of all people, know that anything you say can be put under a microscope and scrutinized to any number of standards. It can also land you in some extremely hot water if what you say does not pass the litmus test of truth. Just like there are rules in place to keep a soda company from claiming to cure cancer, a similar set of rules are in place for lawyers and law firms who practice in the state of Texas, under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.

Founding Attorney, Michael Cowen, served on the committee involved with the review of these rules and found the process to be “honorable
and necessary to uphold the integrity of our profession.” Michael went on to say “the speed at which our world continues to evolve creates a clear need for further clarity in the interpretation of the rules that surround our advertising.”
The Texas State Bar uses interpretive comments and opinions “to establish objective means to review advertisements of solicitation communications. They also help determine whether advertisements and writings comply with Part VII of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct” (TDRPC).

 

Here Are Just Some of the Focuses in the Advertising Rules as Highlighted by the State Bar of Texas…

 

BOARD CERTIFICATION
The advertising lawyer or law firm must be competent in the advertised field of law and cannot say they are specialized or certified unless they or their entire firm have been certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

PAST SUCCESSES OR RESULTS
Must provide information dealing with the nature of the case, further details into the type of amounts stated in the ad. A disclaimer does not cure the violation. See Rule 7.02(a)(2), Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (TDRPC).

Cumulative results amounts can be used in advertisement without any additional information. Cumulative results amounts CANNOT be presented in ads without each case fulfilling the required items detailed in Rule 7.02(a)(2), TDRPC, on the same page of the advertisement as the stated result (this includes websites).

 

A complete listing of the Advertising Review Rules, Interpretive Comments, and Opinions can be found on the State Bar of Texas website (www.texasbar.com).
Most public marketing efforts (including billboards, telephone directory ads, magazine or newspaper ads, television/radio ads, brochures, Internet ads and videos, and websites) must be submitted to the Advertising Review Committee to go through a formal approval process. Complying with advertising rules is not an option, so it is best for all attorneys and their offices to stay current with the changes and updates that occur on a regular basis.

 

“What you say in advertising is more important than how you say it.” – David Ogilvy