More on the Proposed Changes to the NY Lawyer Advertising Rules

First, I've added an article from Lawyers USA to my sidebar on the left (under the heading "Press") regarding the proposed changes to the New York Lawyer advertising rules.  If you read very carefully and squint your eyes, you'll note that I was quoted in the article in the fourth paragraph after the sub-heading entitled "Hitting small firms hardest?"  Yep, that's me.  How about that?

Second, last week I attended a forum on the new lawyer advertising rules and the following individuals, all of whom were instrumental in drafting the proposed rules, were on the panel of speakers:

• Honorable Eugene F. Pigott, Presiding Justice, Supreme Court Supreme Court Appellate Division 4 th Dept
• A. Vincent Buzard, Esq. NYSBA, Immediate Past President
• Michael R. Wolford, Esq. NYSBA Task Force on Attorney Advertising
• Thomas G. Smith, Esq. President, Monroe County Bar Center for Education.

From what I gathered, it sounds like the definition of "advertising" is going to be tweaked a bit based upon the comments that they've received thus far. 

And, in light of concerns that have been raised regarding the proposed 30-day ban on contacting accident victims, they're attempting to get the insurance industry to agree to a similar ban from their end.

I did raise the issue of the effect of the proposed rules on web advertising and plan to submit a comment in the near future in which I'll incorporate by reference the points made in this comment prepared and submitted by Attorney Joshua Stein. 

Since it appears that the Presiding Justices and those on the committee that drafted these rules are giving some serious consideration to comments and criticisms regarding the rules, I would encourage all of you to take the time to submit your comments to the New York State Office of Court Administration.

Should you wish to submit comments regarding the proposed rules, here is the relevant contact information, which can also be found here at the New York State Court System's website:

Michael Colodner, Esq.
Counsel
Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, New York 10004

Comments

[slickdpdx]

How about a rule requiring adjustors and other ins. co. agents to inform insureds of the potential conflict of interest - they don't want to pay!

[Rich Klein]

Nicole: Thanks for updating us on the forum. It seems logic might prevail on some of the proposed changes.