Social media allows attorneys to instantaneously communicate with a large audience through a click or tap. The ability to access an audience from all corners of the world has led many attorneys to embrace social media for advertising, disseminating legal information and communicating with clients, in addition to personal use. As social media rapidly evolves, so do the legal and ethical pitfalls that attorneys may encounter when utilizing it for professional and personal use.

Although this medium of communication is relatively new, the Rules of Professional Conduct apply with equal force. Many ethical concerns involving the use of social media are centered around confidentiality, creating attorney-client relationships, advertising, and solicitation. It is imperative that any attorney with an online presence be sure to comply with their respective state bar’s rules to avoid the following ethical dilemmas.

Maintaining Client Confidentiality