why does a non attorney spokesperson have to narrate law commercials

by Carleton Bahringer 8 min read

Should lawyers advertise in commercials?

Feb 22, 2010 · Any voiceover person on television who pitches lawyer ads with big legal words promising "large cash awards" for your pain, even though they really don't know what the law is nor do they care what happens to you.

Why are law firm TV commercials booming?

These rules address many things, including advertisements and communications about our practices. Most, if not all states in the US make it impermissible for a non-attorney to pretend to be an attorney in a law firm ad. As such, when a non-attorney speaks on behalf of a firm in an ad, it is necessary to disclose that the person is not a lawyer.

What are the benefits of TV advertising for lawyers?

May 12, 2016 · Because communication comes in so many forms—especially with the proliferation of digital content owned by law firms—a spokesperson must not only fit what your legal brand wants to represent, but also be able to handle all the important tasks and deliverables that come along with taking on such a significant role.

Why network affiliates for your law firm?

While watching your favorite TV program, you see an ad for an accident attorney show up during the commercials. You decide, what the heck, why don't I call this guy and see if he can help. In all likelihood, you don't know an attorney. Nor do you know someone who …

Why are there so many lawyer commercials on TV?

So, you ask, why do the lawyers advertise for personal injury cases? Very simple, money. This is how it works. The lawyers spend a fortune advertising on TV and on billboards with their over-the-top advertisements and they are extremely successful in getting you to take the bait by calling them.

Is Attorney Advertising protected by First Amendment?

First Amendment protects lawyer advertising State Bar of Arizona (1977), the Court found attorney advertising specifically to be a form of commercial speech entitled to some degree of First Amendment protection.

Is advertising to lawyers unethical?

Don't directly solicit your services Attorney advertising is a communication made by or on behalf of a lawyer or law firm about a lawyer or firm's available services. Attorney solicitation is an advertisement made by a lawyer or law firm that is targeted to a specific person or group—which may be unethical.Jul 20, 2021

When did it become legal for lawyers to advertise on TV?

What can be called the modern era of attorney advertising began on June 27, 1977. That was the day the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, essentially striking down prohibitions against advertising by attorneys.

Can non lawyer advertise legal services?

Despite having a thousand lawyers enrolled with bar council every year, neither law professionals nor the law firms have the right to advertise their profession. Lawyers are prohibited from doing anything that might influence prospective client.

Why are lawyers not soliciting?

The biggest factor behind these rules is the fear that lawyers will use coercion, harassment, or duress to achieve business. See Model Rule 7.3(b). If a person has made it known that she does not want to be solicited by a lawyer, a lawyer who does attempt to solicit that person will be subject to discipline.

Why lawyers should not be allowed to advertise?

In some interesting quotes, the majority stated that a ban on lawyer advertising serves to “inhibit the free flow of information and keep the public in ignorance.” They also pointed out that “[b]ankers and engineers advertise, and yet these professions are not regarded as undignified.”Oct 26, 2018

What is an advertising lawyer?

Attorneys who work in advertising law are behind the scenes, providing guidance through law firms or in-house counsel and making sure that companies play by the rules when it comes to advertising legally and ethically.

Do law firms advertise?

For decades, attorneys have taken advantage of traditional advertising in the form of law firm print ads, billboards, and more. Now, thanks to modern technology, attorneys also have access to effective digital advertising in the form of pay-per-click (PPC) ad campaigns, search advertising, and social media.

What is the best form of advertising possible for a lawyer?

A lawyer's best advertisement is a well-merited reputation for professional capacity and fidelity to trust based on his character and conduct. For this reason, lawyers are only allowed to announce their services by publication in reputable law lists or use of simple professional cards.Sep 12, 2009

Can lawyers advertise on Facebook?

One of the most underutilized ways of marketing for lawyers in 2022 is advertising on Facebook. With an audience size of 2.5 billion people, running ads on Facebook allows law firms to get their name in front of nearly 70% of the U.S. population.

Can lawyers advertise in the US?

Lawyer advertising in the United States is legal, although subject to ethical rules promulgated by state bar associations.

The traits, tone and temperament that will make a great face for your firm

A spokesperson for any legal brand must wear a lot of hats these days. If leveraged correctly, this person will not only represent your law firm on TV, but may also set the tone for your corporate blog, social profile, speaking engagements, interviews and more.

From single-sided talking head to multifaceted messenger

There’s arguably no segment more tied to the “talking head” spokesperson than TV advertising for lawyers. This traditional tactic worked in the past when the legal space was less crowded and attorneys were first noodling out how to best demonstrate their prowess on the big screen.

So what traits do modern-day spokespeople have in common?

Passion. These are people who are deeply vested in what they do. They are in law for a clear reason and have navigated to your law firm for a specific purpose. They demonstrate passion—a constant, curious drive for self-improvement and knowledge—in everything they do, even outside of the legal profession.

How about the actual innate or learned skills necessary to become a spokesperson for an entire law firm?

Tone. This could be anything from a deeply resonating and memorable vocal pitch to a friendly, girl-next-door tone that is instantly relatable. Just listen to the radio. It drives home the different voices and talent used for different advertising messages. Decide what your spokesperson is “saying” through his or her tone.

So you decide to call

You reach an operator. They take your contact information and either connect you to an attorney right away or promise to have a lawyer call you back.

But before you jumpt the gun to sign that legal retainer, here's a few questions you should be asking if you're going to call an attorney as a result of seeing their ad on TV

How are you different from the other ten lawyer ads I saw before and after your ad? You all say the same thing. You all say "Call me now" but never tell me why each of you are different.

The answers to these questions will help you decide if hiring an attorney from watching a TV ad is right for you and your case

As you can tell from these questions, one of the biggest challenges for a consumer trying to find the right attorney to handle their matter is being able to distinguish one lawyer from another. TV marketing allows the attorney only 30 seconds to shout out their message. There's no time for an attorney to explain "why." Why that lawyer.

Maybe you want to learn more about your injuries

Maybe you want to learn how a lawyer decides how he picks and chooses which cases to handle.

You want to learn how your type of case works

You find some great videos that explain how your type of accident case works.

You keep reading these free books the attorney has written. You watch more of his educational videos

You begin to feel really confident about this attorney. You have seen him. You've heard him. You feel comfortable with him after watching his videos. That prompts you to call.

Want to learn more about car accidents, medical malpractice cases and wrongful death cases here in New York?

If so, I encourage you to get my FREE educational books to the right of this page. Just enter your name and email and get an immediate download.

Who is the lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit?

A lead plaintiff is the face of the case. In the recent lawsuit against the NCAA over athlete compensation, Ed O'Bannon was the lead plaintiff even though many others were named in the suit.

Why was Ed O'Bannon the face of the NCAA case?

Ed O'Bannon was the face of the recent NCAA case because his story -- a college star whose pro career fizzled -- was the one that painted the best picture of what the case was all about. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

Why are market masters legal licensees trusted?

Market Masters-Legal licensees are known and trusted as leaders in their market because regular people can relate to the household names of our television spokespeople. Most folks don't know a lawyer, but they all know celebrities.

What is a market masters ad?

One of the best features of a Market Masters-Legal ad campaign is that it works equally well for firms who are already dominant but want to hold off the field, or for up-and-coming attorneys who are looking to turn the tables on the big boys. By making a striking emotional impression, by incorporating iconic spokespeople and compelling drama, by utilizing expert media buying tactics, and by turning your firm name into a brand name, our TV commercials make lawyers into market leaders.

We Make Powerful Law Firm Television Commercials

As with any legal marketing tactic, television advertising is a long-term investment. And long-term investments yield their highest returns when they are executed with research and strategy.

The Many Benefits of TV Advertising for Lawyers

Television commercials are a boon to businesses because they impact audiences in different ways with the same message. Commercials express sight, sound, and emotion. They also give viewers an almost-unconscious sense of how credible you are.

Our Four Rules of TV Advertising for Lawyers

At Network Affiliates, we have years of experience executing TV campaigns for law firms and getting big results. We know what we’re doing, and we believe we can deliver the results you’re looking for.

Get Started with Affordable TV Advertising for Lawyers, Law Firms & More

Ready to build your business with some of the sharpest and most memorable advertising in your market? We’re Network Affiliates, and we can make a difference in your bottom line.

What is a commercial lawyer?

Commercial lawyers are those that deal with commercial and business legal matters. They assist heavily with transactions, documentation and paperwork, but they may also help in other company issues that require motions, actions and issues with the courts. When hiring a commercial lawyer, the person usually owns a business or is a manager of one.

Why is it important to hire a commercial lawyer?

It is important to obtain these persons as soon as possible to ensure that many transactions are protected and documentation is valid and legitimate. With the use of one of these individuals, it may be possible to prevent disaster and avoid litigation.

What are the responsibilities of a commercial lawyer?

Duties and Responsibilities of a Commercial Lawyer. Lawyers that have specialized in business law have responsibilities to commercial endeavors. This means that they are obligated to assisting with business transactions and ensuring that deals and arrangements are valid and legal. Many of these duties revolve around contract drafting ...