The media have very few rules, and those that do exist are constantly changing. The precedent that drives today s news decision is whatever the competition did yesterday. Reputable attorneys are ashamed of some of their colleagues who use the media to advertise their practice. The headline hunters are more interested in getting their names out to the public than in serving the best interest of their clients. Some very good, successful lawyers are so offended by their ambulance-chasing colleagues, they avoid doing anything that would even suggest that they are seeking publicity.
Some lawyers truly believe it is unethical to talk to the news media.
They cite sections of the Canons of Ethics that are designed to protect the right to a fair trial. But there is also a Canon that says ethical lawyers must represent the best interest of their clients. To act as if the news media do not exist, I maintain, is often not in the best interest of a client. . . . The CEO carries a bias from personal experience. They have walked through a lot of fires together, and emerged victorious.