Publications

Social media and other electronic forms of communication provide unprecedented opportunities to reach current and potential clients, enhance your reputation, and build your business. But as you venture into these waters, it is important to keep the attorney ethics rules in mind. The speed, informality, and potential for direct connection with clients or potential clients afforded by electronic communications can pose unique compliance challenges. So stop, think, and consult the Rules before you tweet, blog, friend, click send, or update your LinkedIn profile.

The Rules

Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct 7.1-7.5 provide the parameters of permissible attorney advertising and solicitation. More general rules, such as the restrictions on the use of confidential client information in Rule 1.6, also must be observed. Additionally, practitioners should consult Practice Book § 2-28A to determine what advertisements must be filed with the State Grievance Committee. The scope of this article is too limited to provide a comprehensive review of these requirements. Instead, it will touch on several issues that arise frequently in the era of digital communications.