2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 37 - Professions and Occupations › §37:223. Advertisements for legal services

RS 37:223 - Advertisements for legal services
A. The legislature recognizes the following:
(1) Legal advertisements in the state have the potential to mislead individuals who need professional legal services, and potential litigants have the right to know what expenses will be associated with legal representation.
(2) Advertising that is inherently likely to deceive, or which is, or has in fact been, deceptive receives no protection under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America and is prohibited entirely.
(3) Attorney advertising that is potentially misleading because it may be presented in a way that is not deceptive may be regulated if the regulation satisfies one of two standards: if the regulation directly advances a substantial government interest and is not more extensive than necessary to serve that interest, or if disclosure is required that is reasonably related to the state's interest in preventing deception of consumers.
B.(1) Any advertisement for legal services, in any format, that contains a reference to a monetary settlement agreement or an award by a jury verdict previously obtained by the advertising attorney shall, in the same advertisement, disclose all attorney fees paid to the advertising attorney that are associated with the settlement agreement or award by jury verdict.
(2) The disclosure of all attorney fees associated with the settlement or jury verdict when presented in print shall be in a font size no smaller than half the size of the largest font size used in the advertisement, and when presented verbally, shall be audible, intelligible, and presented with equal prominence and in the same manner as the other parts of the advertisement.
C. Any advertisement for legal services, in any format, containing a reference or testimonial to past successes or results obtained shall be presented in a truthful, nondeceptive manner and shall include a disclaimer such as "results may vary" or "past results are not a guarantee of future success".
D. Any advertisement for legal services or any unsolicited written communication, in any format, that includes the portrayal of a client by a nonclient or the depiction of any event or scene or picture that is not actual or authentic shall include a disclaimer. Any words or statements required by this Section to appear in an advertisement or unsolicited written communication shall be clearly legible if written or intelligible if spoken aloud. All disclosures and disclaimers shall be clear, conspicuous, and clearly associated with the item requiring disclosure or disclaimer. Written disclosures and disclaimers shall be clearly legible and, if televised or displayed electronically, shall be displayed for a sufficient time to enable the viewer to easily see and read the disclosure or disclaimer. Spoken disclosures and disclaimers shall be plainly audible and clearly intelligible.
E. The following communications in attorney advertisements shall be prohibited:
(1) Any advertisement for legal services, in any format, that utilizes a nickname, moniker, motto, or trade name that states or implies an ability to obtain results in a matter.
(2) Any advertisement for legal services, in any format, that promises results.
F. The Louisiana Supreme Court may adopt rules as necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of this Section by December 22, 2022.
G.(1) For purposes of this Section, "media entity" includes the following:
(a) Radio or television broadcast station.
(b) Cable television company.
(c) Newspaper or periodical company.
(d) Billboard company.
(e) Voice, data, or other communications.
(f) Information services.
(g) Internet access provider.
(h) Bona fide news or public interest website operator.
(2) The provisions of this Section shall not limit or otherwise affect the carriage, distribution, transmission, or display of any advertisement by a media entity. Any carriage, distribution, transmission, or display of an advertisement by a media entity shall not be considered a violation of this Section by the media entity.
H. Any court costs or attorney fees awarded to a prevailing party against the supreme court in an action challenging the constitutionality of this Section shall be paid by the state. Nothing in this Section shall prevent the supreme court from recovering court costs or attorney fees if the constitutionality of this Section is upheld.
Acts 2020, No. 231, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 775, §1, eff. June 20, 2022.