Hello everyone and welcome to this Ethics Alert which will discuss the recent decision of the Florida Bar’s Statewide Advertising Committee to reject a plan by a law firm to obtain cell telephone numbers and send texts to prospective clients on specific matters since the text messages would be solicitations in violation of the Bar advertising rules.
The issue of whether a text message to a prospective client regarding a specific matter was recently reviewed by the Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Advertising at its May 12, 2015 meeting. The issue was reviewed after a criminal defense firm requested authorization to send text messages to prospective clients and guidance on its plan to use a computer system to send text messages regarding the firm’s legal services to potential clients who were arrested. The law firm argued that a telephone number for text messaging is the functional equivalent of an e-mail address which are permitted communications under the Florida Bar Rules.
Florida Bar Advertising Rule 4-7.18 states that (with exceptions) a lawyer may not solicit professional employment from a prospective client by telephone or other communication directed to a specific recipient. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) also prohibits telephone solicitations and the use of automated telephone equipment to send SMS text message and faxes.
The law firm’s plan was to use a daily list provide by the county clerk to obtain e-mail addresses and mobile telephone numbers of individuals arrested the previous day. This information would be entered into an automated system which would send text messages offering its legal services. The firm stated that it would only send a text if an e-mail was unavailable and that there would be an “opt out” provision to allow the recipient to decline future communication.
The Florida Bar Advertising Department’s lawyers had voted unanimously that the proposed text messages were prohibited and violated Rule 4-7.18 since text messages fall within the language of the rule’s prohibition against telephone communication and also since the proposal would likely violate the TCPA. The law firm appealed the decision to the Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Advertising. The Standing Advertising Committee voted 6-1 against the proposal. The law firm requested review by the Florida Bar’s Board of Governors and the review has been scheduled for the Board’s July 2015.
Bottom line: This is another example of analysis and application of new digital media to the Bar advertising rules. In this case, The Florida Bar’s Statewide Advertising Committee decided that text messages to prospective clients on specific matters are not the same as e-mails and are solicitations in violation of the Bar’s advertising rules. Expect more of these reviews and issues in the future and stay tuned for the decision of the Board of Governors on this one.
Disclaimer: this e-mail is not an advertisement, does not contain any legal advice, and does not create an attorney/client relationship and the comments herein should not be relied upon by anyone who reads it.
Joseph A. Corsmeier, Esquire
Law Office of Joseph A. Corsmeier, P.A.
2454 McMullen Booth Road, Suite 431
Clearwater, Florida 33759
Office (727) 799-1688
Fax (727) 799-1670
