17. “. . . if there is a
substantial likelihood that
it will lead a reasonable
person . . .”
18. “. . . to formulate a
specific conclusion about
the lawyer or the lawyer's
services . . .”
19. “. . . for which there is no
reasonable factual
foundation.”
20. Types of RPC Restrictions
• Discussions of results obtained
• Comparisons to other attorneys
• Testimonials or client reviews
• Superlatives (PA technically bars attorneys from labeling themselves as
“experienced” or “competent”)
• Statements that imply the ability to get results
• “Real-time, electronic solicitation”
26. “That which does no
more than propose a
commercial
transaction.”
27. “Mixed” Content
• Dex Media v. City of Seattle (2012)
• Is publication as a whole commercial
speech?
• Ad format
• Reference to specific product
• Economic motive
• Even if so, full protection applies if
commercial/non-commercial speech
is “inextricably intertwined.”
34. “The Law that Makes the Internet Go”
• 47 U.S.C. § 230
• Commonly known as “CDA 230”
• “No provider or user of an interactive computer service
shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any
information provided by another information content
provider.”
• Blanket immunity from defamation liability for third party
comments
• Preempts state law
35. Defamation Basics
• A claim for damages to reputation based on false statements of fact
• Truth is an absolute defense
• Opinion is usually a defense
• Heightened standard for public figures to claim defamation
• Other important defenses:
• Substantial truth
• Fair report
• Statute of limitations & the “single publication” rule
40. In re Peshek (2009)
• Attorney blogger disciplined for referring to criminal clients
• Used alias, but court determined the identities could be figured out
• Confidential info
• Non-confidential info that may be “embarrassing or detrimental” to clients
42. Fair Use & “Borrowing”
• Quotations for criticism and commentary
• The test for fair use
• “Transformative” uses
• Parody vs. Satire
• Special considerations for photos
• Government documents
• DMCA notices
These are the big areas; there are others and may be special concerns in particular practice areas.
Why blogging is good for lawyers My personal experience: Networking and professional satisfaction Makes me a better lawyer NOT a form of advertising Lots of approaches, as seen on next few slides Solo/small firm Big firm Niche practices Group blogs
Solo / small firm
Large firm
Group blog
Niche practice. Mike and Mark Walsh.
Why blogging is good for lawyers My personal experience: Networking and professional satisfaction Makes me a better lawyer NOT a form of advertising Lots of approaches, as seen on next few slides Solo/small firm Big firm Niche practices Group blogs
Feedly, Newsblur, The Old Reader are all alternatives to Google Reader
Example from Simple Justice. Look at each of these blogs. Each will likely have blog rolls of their own. Go on from there . . .
Many options, from free to premium. But for anyone who wants to dive right in, the free version of wordpress is your best bet.
ABA Model Rules – concern of many lawyers
Start with one fundamental issue – the breadth of the rules governing attorney advertising.
Primary areas covered by RPC
Content-based restrictions on speech are subject to “strict scrutiny.” Government carries burden of proving that restrictions are necessary to meet a compelling state interest . . . which is why so many of these restrictions are stricken.
Commercial speech, is subject to the lesser “intermediate scrutiny” standard. Government still carries the burden.
Bolger v Young's Drug Products Corp., (1983)
In close cases, courts apply a 3-part test (all parts must be met):Is the format something the would be considered advertising? (Yellow Pages were NOT in Dex Media!)Is there a reference to a specific product? Again, NOT in Dex Media.What is the economic motive? Met in Dex Media. But a long line of Supreme Court cases have found that an economic motivation alone is “clearly insufficient” to turn materials into commercial speech.And even if this test is met, full protection will apply if the commercial speech is “inextricably intertwined” with non-commercial speech.
2/28/13: The factors that drove a divided Virginia Supreme Court to find that Hunter’s blog was advertising included: 1) most posts predominantly described cases where Hunter got a favorable result for a client; 2) most posts mentioned the name of Hunter’s law firm (as well as his own name); 3) Hunter’s blog was a page on his firm’s commercial website, rather than a stand-alone site; 4) the blog used the same “frame” as the website, which prominently features the name of the firm and a “contact us” form; and 5) the lack of ability for others to post comments on blog posts.
Dex Media test would apply to regulations that govern the entire blog. Regulation of advertising messages contained within the blog could still survive (just as ads within the yellow pages could be regulated)Apply Dex Media test to this “blog” – which is really just a website. Advertising focus (note prominent chat, 1-800 number, promo), single product (the firm), economic motivation. And not likely “inextricably intertwined” with non-commercial messages.
Same here – just a website, prominent advertising information, single product.
Unlike the prior examples, headline is the blog itself – not an ad for the firm. Much more like editorial magazine.
Again, look at context and format – is it more or less like an ad?
Mark Steyn example – suggesting academic dishonesty
Well-established first amendment right to anonymity. Many states use the Dendrite test (named after NJ case): Multiple steps, but primary requirement is that the Plaintiff have evidence supporting a prima facie case. The judge then balances the defendant’s First Amendment right to anonymity against the strength of the prima facie case and the need to ID the defendant.** and always consider the Streisand Effect **
Not an issue if you are reasonably careful.Test for FU: 1) purpose and character of the use (transformative vs. derivative uses); 2) nature of the copyrighted work; 3) amount of work used; 4) effect of use on market value for workDMCA not usually an issue for legal bloggers, but may want to file for DMCA agent if you start getting a lot of comments.