Skip to main content

i probably should just put this in the 'pet peeve' thread, but what is up with that humongous disclaimer at the end of every lawyer ad (radio, tv or print)? it's something along the lines of:

'no representation is made that the quality of legal services advertised is any better than any other..' blah blah (ie this lawyer ain't no better than the next one).

if all lawyers are the same, what would be the point of advertising?! what IS the point of advertising anything, if you tout your abilities or wares, but then at the end of it having to say, 'but i'm really not any better than the next guy'?

is it the bar that requires this ridiculous disclaimer? what is the value add of such a silly thing? and don't they know it just makes the rest of us roll our eyes, and think lawyers are borderline crazy?

talk to me, hammy....

~~ Trust no one. ~~

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:
Originally posted by hoss gal:
i probably should just put this in the 'pet peeve' thread, but what is up with that humongous disclaimer at the end of every lawyer ad (radio, tv or print)? it's something along the lines of:

'no representation is made that the quality of legal services advertised is any better than any other..' blah blah (ie this lawyer ain't no better than the next one).

if all lawyers are the same, what would be the point of advertising?! what IS the point of advertising anything, if you tout your abilities or wares, but then at the end of it having to say, 'but i'm really not any better than the next guy'?

is it the bar that requires this ridiculous disclaimer? what is the value add of such a silly thing? and don't they know it just makes the rest of us roll our eyes, and think lawyers are borderline crazy?

talk to me, hammy....


Hey Girl!
I snooze in my recliner for a couple of hours and miss all the fun! You nailed this one right on the nose...it is indeed required by the rules.

Here's how it works. There are "Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct" that all lawyers have to abide by and one of those (actually Rule 7.2 (e)) filed under Advertising tells us that...
No communication concerning a lawyer’s services shall be published or broadcast, unless it contains the following language, which shall be clearly legible or audible, as the case may be: “No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
I know it's annoying, but it is about abiding by the rules. There are actually LOTS of interesting rules and if you haven't had your nap yet, they will certainly do the trick... Wink Link

----------------
quote:
Originally posted by KJV:
quote:
Originally posted by interventor1:
Georgie girl,

To contact Johnny Cochran would involve a long distance call with a medium and a seance. Which circle of hell or cloud in heaven?


Need a medium? You're in luck, George thinks she can talk to the dead folks.


Oh cooool! If she can I need to talk to her. I love that stuff! I just loved watching John Edwards show. Man that would be fun!
quote:
Originally posted by hoss gal:
what was the impetus for creating the rule, reckon, hammy? what is it trying to prevent, or create?

i think it's beyond silly!


I looked back over this and had no clue I was this wordy. Forgive me. Advocacy is just something I am very passionate about. This just represents my own personal opinion.

I agree about the commercials.
It is kind of strange to hear 52 seconds of "call us, we can get you money!" "call us, we can get you more than the other guy!" then to have 8 seconds of a disclaimer saying they are no better than the next guy. It is supposed to be there to protect the public. In fact, there are even limits on what an attorney can say about being a "specialist" in one field or another. The rule says that a lawyer can communicate the fact that the he or she has been certified as a specialist in a field of law by a named and recognized organization or authority, but only if such certification is granted by an organization previously approved by the Alabama State Bar Board of Legal Certification to grant such certifications. Otherwise, he/she could land in trouble. They have to be very careful about what they say and do and it is highly regulated.

Think about this...
Every lawyer ad you see is actually regulated by the Alabama State Bar. They even have a copy of all those ads believe it not.

(b) A true copy or recording of any such advertisement shall be delivered or mailed to the office of the general counsel of the Alabama State Bar at its then current headquarters within three (3) days after the date on which any such advertisement is first disseminated; the contemplated duration thereof and the identity of the publisher or broadcaster of such advertisement, either within the advertisement or by separate communication accompanying said advertisement, shall be stated. Also, a copy or recording of any such advertisement shall be kept by the lawyer responsible for its content, as provided hereinafter by Rule 7.2(d), for six (6) years after its last dissemination.

How much fun could we all have going through their vault down on Dexter Ave. pointing and laughing at some of the worst ones?

It is my opinion that the best advocates (and most professional attorneys) are people that come highly recommended by word of mouth and through satisfied former clients. Their reputation in the community for honestly and as a zealous advocate accomplishes what a barrage of ads could never do. Please do not mistake what I am saying here. Tasteful, professional ads can be a valuable resource for helping the public locate the right lawyer.

Think about this with me...
A client comes to your office because they are in trouble and they need help. I see it every day. They need (and they are counting on) you. You represent their access to a system that might as well be inside a locked vault in a foreign land. The language is different, the rules are tricky, and the "gatekeepers" are sometimes not so friendly. But then you find out that your lawyer has a passport (and maybe even a second home) in that "foreign land". They also know that foreign language. Oh, and that mean "gatekeeper"? Your guy/gal actually has lunch with them once a month at an associational meeting downtown, so all is well.

Clients are there because they have a problem and they are betting everything on you. In most instances, their health, their pensions, their businesses, their homes, their assets, and their families are all at stake. If you have a criminal practice, they are facing jail time and their very liberty is at stake...and they are counting on you. If I am going to have to be riding through rough waters, I want a guide driving the boat that has been there a thousand times and knows where the rocks are in the bend of the river. It's about doing the very best you can representing your client's best interests no matter what. There are no free passes in this profession, and a real advocate (and one that knows your name) could never sleep at night if they felt like they ever took one.

------------
Last edited by blackacre
quote:
Originally posted by Trutooit:
There's a nice lady lawyer on her who advertises. Don't give them all a bad name.


My friend, Tru, there are reasons to advertise and not to advertise. Attorneys are like physicians, these days they are all specialized. The lady you mention is a friend of mine also. It is no longer considered de classe to advertise, particularly when you have such a specialty as personal injury.

On the other hand, my other attorney friend is a family & criminal practice lawyer. He does not advertise and does not need to. When one handles family law well and economically, word spreads (PM me if you need a good family specialist). As for his court work, much is appointed, so there again he does not need to advertise.

Think of it this way, in some cases, without advertising, how would you choose from all the lawyers in the phone book? You don't want a real estate attorney to handle your bankruptcy. Advertising doesn't mean the attorney is a shyster.
quote:
Originally posted by KJV:
quote:
Originally posted by interventor1:
Georgie girl,

To contact Johnny Cochran would involve a long distance call with a medium and a seance. Which circle of hell or cloud in heaven?


Need a medium? You're in luck, George thinks she can talk to the dead folks.


this was just mean.. and the only reason for posting this is to start some uglyness, we were asked to not do that this time on this thread so i wont, but i can start a new thread, i believe
quote:
Originally posted by SHELDIVR:
quote:
Originally posted by dark dreamer:
what about the one with William Shatner? i forget what the name of the firm is but it's funny. he is obviously being paid to do it.


The Mike Slocumb Law Firm....they mean business...!!


I love that commercial! Anyone that Denny Crane vouches for is OK by me! Wink
quote:
Originally posted by DA funky queef 666:
quote:
Originally posted by KJV:
quote:
Originally posted by interventor1:
Georgie girl,

To contact Johnny Cochran would involve a long distance call with a medium and a seance. Which circle of hell or cloud in heaven?


Need a medium? You're in luck, George thinks she can talk to the dead folks.


this was just mean.. and the only reason for posting this is to start some uglyness, we were asked to not do that this time on this thread so i wont, but i can start a new thread, i believe


Not in this name Big Grin
quote:
Originally posted by The Green Eyed Lady:
quote:
Originally posted by DA funky queef 666:
quote:
Originally posted by KJV:
quote:
Originally posted by interventor1:
Georgie girl,

To contact Johnny Cochran would involve a long distance call with a medium and a seance. Which circle of hell or cloud in heaven?


Need a medium? You're in luck, George thinks she can talk to the dead folks.


this was just mean.. and the only reason for posting this is to start some uglyness, we were asked to not do that this time on this thread so i wont, but i can start a new thread, i believe


Not in this name Big Grin


save
quote:
Originally posted by TheBaldGuy:
quote:
Originally posted by The Green Eyed Lady:
quote:
Originally posted by DA funky queef 666:
quote:
Originally posted by KJV:
quote:
Originally posted by interventor1:
Georgie girl,

To contact Johnny Cochran would involve a long distance call with a medium and a seance. Which circle of hell or cloud in heaven?


Need a medium? You're in luck, George thinks she can talk to the dead folks.


this was just mean.. and the only reason for posting this is to start some uglyness, we were asked to not do that this time on this thread so i wont, but i can start a new thread, i believe


Not in this name Big Grin


save


Save
quote:
Originally posted by SHELDIVR:
quote:
Originally posted by dark dreamer:
what about the one with William Shatner? i forget what the name of the firm is but it's funny. he is obviously being paid to do it.


The Mike Slocumb Law Firm....they mean business...!!



yeah! that's it. i like that one too. he is sooo serious in it. Cool

thank you.
quote:
Originally posted by SHELDIVR:
quote:
Originally posted by Appalachian American:
Call!!!!! Goldberg 800 600 6 0 1 4!!!! Dam ya'll.


Stop horsing around.... Wink My guess is the horse is a tax write off...

He actually rides that horse. I've seen him at various trail rides around the bham area. his commercials are just goofy, though.

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×