Attorney and law firm advertising involves legal ethics standards and is regulated by the state bar associations in which the attorney is licensed, or in which the advertisements appear. The disclosures and required and prohibited advertising content varies from state to state, whether the advertisements appear on television, radio, social media, print, billboards, or another medium.
In Hawaii, attorney and law firm advertising is governed by the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct, which are enforced by the Hawaii State Bar Association. These rules are designed to ensure that attorney advertising is not misleading, is truthful, and does not make false claims about the attorney or law firm's qualifications or results. Attorneys must avoid creating unjustified expectations or making comparisons that cannot be substantiated. Specific disclosures may be required in advertisements to prevent deception. For example, if an advertisement includes actors portraying clients, it may need to disclose that fact. The use of testimonials or endorsements is also regulated, often requiring disclaimers or disclosures about the nature of the testimonial. The rules apply to all forms of advertising, including television, radio, social media, print, billboards, and other mediums. It's important for attorneys to stay current with these regulations as they can be subject to change and may have nuances depending on the medium of the advertisement.