NJSBA Family Law Section

Good afternoon Family Law Section members,

On Tuesday, June 22, NJICLE will present Webcast- Just a Friendly Reminder: A Review of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s on Committee on Advertising Recent Reminder on “Best and Super Lawyers” Advertising from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m.

Learn How to Market Your Law Practice without Violating the Rules
Since the early 2000s, many New Jersey attorneys have noted on their websites that they are "Super Lawyers" or one of the "Best Lawyers" in America. In a Notice to the Bar, issued on May 5, 2021, the New Jersey Supreme Court’ s Committee on Advertising issued a reminder about the limits of using such testimonials on websites or other advertising. First, the designation cannot be used without first finding out if the organization that conferred the award inquired into the attorney's fitness. The reminder notes that the basis for comparison must be substantiated, bona fide, and verifiable. If the award meets this threshold, the attorney must include additional information in the advertising:

- The lawyer must describe the methodology on which the organization based the award.
- The lawyer must include the name of the comparing organization that issued the award.
- They must include a disclaimer, noting that the Supreme Court of New Jersey has not approved the advertising.

This information must appear in proximity to referenced award or accolade (even if the attorney is using the awarding organization's logo). It may only note that the comparing organization included the attorney on its list and should not suggest that the lawyer has those attributes. This information cannot be elsewhere on the page or appear in tiny print.

Before it issued its reminder, the Committee reviewed dozens of websites and advertisements and found many problematic and often lacking the required information.

Find out if you are advertising correctly at our informative webinar. Our convenient lunch time webinar will review the recent notice to bar and our panel will discuss the best practices you should be utilizing in your advertising.

FACULTY
Speakers:
Jeffrey Apell, Esq.
Chair, NJ Supreme Court’s Committee on Advertising
Posternack Apell, PC, Moorestown
Carol Johnston, Esq.
Secretary, NJ Supreme Court’s Committee on Advertising, Trenton
Kenneth Vercammen, Esq
Kenneth Vercammen & Associates, Edison and Cranbury

TOPICS
• An overview of the ethics of marketing, including a review of relevant rules, opinions, and cases
• Ethical communication with potential clients
• Examples of correct and incorrect marketing
• 20 Ways of marketing without violating the rules

CLE Credits:
NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.8 hours of total CLE credit, out of which 1.8 qualify as hours of ethics/professionalism
NJ CLE: This program has been approved for 1.8 credits (50 minute hour), including 1.8 ethics/professionalism
PA CLE: 1.5 ethics credits pending ($8 fee – separate check payable to NJICLE must be submitted at the end of the program)
NY CLE (nt): 1.5 ethics credits

The tuition for NJSBA members is $99. The general tuition is $125.

Click here to register for Webcast- Just a Friendly Reminder: A Review of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s on Committee on Advertising Recent Reminder on “Best and Super Lawyers” Advertising.

For questions or to register by phone, please contact an association representative at 732-214-8500, or by email at [email protected].

All the best,
Barb

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Barbara Straczynski
Director of New Media and Promotions
New Jersey State Bar Association
New Brunswick NJ
(732) 937-7524
[email protected]
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