Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct
If you are part of the Iowa Bar and are admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Iowa, there are some rules you need to adhere to when it comes to internet marketing, including social media and your custom law firm website.
The Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct and the Iowa Bar Rules are set to make sure law firm advertising is both honest and ethical. If you fail to follow the guidelines and regulations, you may be subject to disciplinary action.
The trusted marketing firm at Law Firm Sites will ensure your website and advertisements fit within the Iowa requirements while still being effective for your Law Firm.
Resources
Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct – This resource will contain all of the Rules of Professional Conduct in Iowa.
Ethics Opinions in Iowa – If you have further questions regarding the Rules of Professional Conduct, this will be a helpful resource to you.
Key Rules to be Aware of
Rule 32:7.1: COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING A LAWYER’S SERVICES
A lawyer shall not make a false or misleading communication about the lawyer or the lawyer’s services. A communication is false or misleading if it contains a material misrepresentation of fact or law, or omits a fact necessary to make the statement considered as a whole not materially misleading.
Rule 32:7.2: ADVERTISING
(a) Subject to the requirements of rules 32:7.1 and 32:7.3, a lawyer may advertise services through written, recorded, or electronic communication, including public media.
(b) A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer’s services except that a lawyer may:
(1) pay the reasonable costs of advertisements or communications permitted by this rule;
(2) pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service. A qualified lawyer referral service is a lawyer referral service that has been approved by an appropriate regulatory authority;
(3) pay for a law practice in accordance with rule 32:1.17; and
(4) refer clients to another lawyer or a nonlawyer professional pursuant to an agreement not otherwise prohibited under these rules that provides for the other person to refer clients or customers to the lawyer, if
(i) the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and
(ii) the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement.
(c) Any communication made pursuant to this rule shall include the name and office address of at least one lawyer or law firm responsible for its content.