LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other social networking sites offer lawyers myriad avenues for communicating with each other and the public about a host of issues. The potential of disclosure of confidential information makes an attorney's online presence a minefield of ethical danger. Attorneys must learn how to handle client reviews on sites such as Yelp and AVVO to protect their reputations while staying within legal ethics and professional conduct boundaries. The American Bar Association's ethics committee issued an opinion last year clarifying rules relating to lawyers reviewing jurors' internet presence before and during trial. Local and state bar associations continue to grapple with new issues as they arise. Earlier this year, one association stated that attorneys should treat most LinkedIn profiles as "attorney advertising" with appropriate disclosures and ethical obligations. Attorneys must be aware of the evolving ethical rules so they can safely take advantage of the opportunities these platforms offer.
Listen as the panel of experienced legal practitioners explores the ethical issues that arise when attorneys use social networking sites and blogs. The panel will discuss the legal ethics risks of using LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media, outline the evolving professional conduct rules for online activity, and offer guidance for staying within legal ethics boundaries.
Robert Brownstone, chair of Fenwick's Electronic Information Management practice, is speaking on this webinar titled "Ethical Risks of Attorney Social Media Activity: Navigating the Dangers of LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Blogs." Join Robert and his fellow panelist on November 18 at 10:00am PDT.