Ethics Opinions
Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics and Conduct
Date of Opinion:
05/16/1996
Opinion Number:
95-30
Title:
Internet: Home Page
Opinion:
You have requested an opinion as to the propriety of an Iowa law firm or an out-of-state law firm with an office in Iowa having a home page or web site on the Internet.
I. The Board is of the opinion that such law firms' (and lawyers') home pages or web sites are generally designed to promote the firm and to sell legal services of the firm and constitute advertising. Therefore, it is the opinion of the Board that they must conform to the Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers provisions governing advertising and must comply with DR 2-101, DR 2-103 and DR 2-105 (including publishing required disclosures) and with pertinent Ethical Considerations and related Formal Opinions of the Board (formerly "the committee"). Disclosures must be on the home page or on the first screen of each page.
II. Pure inter-exchange of legal information with another law firm or with other members of the home page or web site firm is an exception to Division I of this opinion.
III. Pure inter-exchange of information or legal communication with clients is an exception to Division I of this opinion, but sensitive material must be encrypted to avoid violation of DR 4-101 and pertinent Ethical Considerations of the Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers and related Formal Opinions of the Board.
IV. There having been no specific rule or opinion heretofore concerning use of the Internet system, presently existing home pages or web sites of Iowa law firms or lawyers which do not comply herewith will not form the basis of disciplinary proceedings by the Board if compliance is completed by September 1, 1996.