Ethics Opinions
Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics and Conduct

Date of Opinion: 09/18/2002

Opinion Number: 02-05

Title: REVIEW OF 01-10, REGARDING LAWINFO.COM

Opinion: In Formal Opinion 01-10, the Board stated that it would be improper for Iowa lawyers to participate in LawInfo.com’s Lead Counsel Program, primarily because it appeared to be a client referral program that did not comply with DR 2-103(C). You have informed us that LawInfo.com has now changed its website to state that the State of Iowa does not have the Lead Counsel Program. Instead, all Iowa lawyers are able to advertise on the LawInfo website, and the advertising fees do not depend upon the number of contacts made to the advertising attorney by potential clients.

This type of advertising program is permitted under DR 2-101(B)(5). Thus, Iowa lawyers may publish the information permitted by DR 2-101(C) in such advertisements.