Opinion ID: 1692836
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: analysis

Text: Our review in disciplinary cases is de novo. Ct. R. 118.10, .11. We give respectful consideration to the findings of the commission but are not bound by them. Iowa Sup. Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Postma, 555 N.W.2d 680, 681 (Iowa 1996). A. DR 2-105(A)(4). We held in Wherry that DR 2-105(A)(4) satisfies the test for constitutionality in Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. v. Public Service Commission, 447 U.S. 557, 100 S.Ct. 2343, 65 L.Ed.2d 341 (1980) (and thus the test later adopted for attorney advertising in Florida Bar). Wherry, 569 N.W.2d at 825. We therefore summarily reject Kirlin's similar challenge to that rule here. Our state constitutional provisions regarding freedom of speech have generally been held to be coextensive with the federal constitution, and Kirlin's argument based on the Iowa Constitution must therefore fail as well. See State v. Lacey, 465 N.W.2d 537, 539-40 (Iowa 1991) (state and federal claims regarding freedom of speech treated simultaneously); Des Moines Register & Tribune Co. v. Osmundson, 248 N.W.2d 493, 498 (Iowa 1976) (same). B. DR 2-101(C). In 1994 this court amended DR 2-101(C) to require that advertising containing references to memberships in professional organizations include the notice to the public quoted above. Kirlin's advertisements in the 1994-95 and 1995-96 telephone directories did not comply. Kirlin complains that the notice under DR 2-101(C) is duplicative of a warning required by DR 2-101(A), which advises consumers that the selection of a lawyer should not be based solely on advertising. He contends that this creates undue expenses in advertising and apparently that this will chill a lawyer's exercise of his First Amendment rights. The warnings under DR 2-101(C) and DR 2-101(A), however, have different purposes. The warning required by DR 2-101(C) cautions the consumer not to give undue weight to membership in associations; DR 2-101(A) warns consumers not to be swayed by advertising in selecting a lawyer. DR 2-101(C) was amended in 1994 because this court was concerned, based on advice by the Committee on Professional Ethics and Conduct, that [t]here have been instances where such [membership] listings have been used to imply expertise in areas of practice such as listed in DR 2-105 but circumventing the qualification and disclosure requirements of DR 2-105. The lawyer merely joins an organization or entitles an article using the desired buzzword area of practice (for example: Member of American Trial Lawyer Sections on Motor Vehicle Collision, Railroad Law ... etc., or Co-author-Automobile Accident Law and Practice) without proper disclosure. This results in misleading advertising. (Letter from Committee on Professional Ethics & Conduct to Iowa Supreme Court of 12/28/93.) We conclude that DR 2-101(C) is not duplicative of other disclaimers and that it passes the test for constitutionality under Florida Bar. The State has a substantial interest in supporting this restriction because [f]alse claims of expertise are a real danger to those who need and are searching for legal services. Wherry, 569 N.W.2d at 825. The rule in question is narrowly drawn and advances the state's interest. Advertising a membership in law-related associations without informing the public of the danger of equating membership in professional associations and expertise as a lawyer could be misleading. Kirlin also argues that the notice requirement of DR 2-101(C) constitutes a taking of his property for public use without just compensation contrary to the federal and state constitutions. He cites no authority for this proposition, and we have found none. We therefore deem the argument waived. Iowa R.App. P. 14(a)(3). C. DR 2-105(A)(2). Kirlin complains that DR 2-105(A)(2), which limits to three the number of areas of practice that may be advertised, is unconstitutional. However, he does not develop an argument in support of this assertion, and we reject it. There is a limit to the number of areas in which an attorney may reasonably claim to concentrate, and we believe that three is reasonable.