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 Louisiana (LA), attorney and law firm advertising is governed by the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct, specifically under Rule 7. These rules are enforced by the Louisiana State Bar Association. The regulations require that attorney advertisements and communications be truthful and not misleading, and they must not make false or unsubstantiated comparisons to other lawyers' services. Certain disclosures may be required in the advertisements to avoid any deception. For example, if an advertisement includes a paid endorsement, this fact must be disclosed. The use of actors must be disclosed as well. Attorneys are prohibited from promising results and must avoid statements that might create unjustified expectations. The rules also address direct solicitation, which is generally restricted, especially if it involves coercion, duress, or harassment. The use of social media for advertising is subject to the same ethical standards as traditional media. Attorneys in Louisiana must also submit their advertisements to the Louisiana State Bar Association's Committee on Legal Advertising for review prior to dissemination, although there are some exceptions to this requirement.