Press Release
RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT ETHICS ADVISORY PANEL RULES FAVORABLY ON THE LEGALMATCH CLIENT ACQUISITION SYSTEM
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 16, 2005)—The Rhode Island Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Panel recently ruled that the LegalMatch consumer/lawyer matching model was an acceptable method for attorneys to utilize when finding prospective clients.
The opinion, No. 2005-01 request No. 885, and published in February 24, 2005, states "The Panel concludes that (a) the annual membership fee represents the reasonable costs of advertising permitted by rule 7.2(c); (b) the arrangement is not a referral service;(c) payment of the annual fee to LM.com (LegalMatch) is not impermissible fee-sharing with a non-lawyer; and (d) a participating lawyer's reply to a consumer's request for legal services is not a prohibited solicitation. The Panel concludes that the proposed arrangement with LM.com is permissible under the Rules of Professional Conduct."
"LegalMatch's client acquisition system again has been validated as an ethical, legal, and viable method to match consumers in need of legal representation with qualified, local attorneys," said LegalMatch CEO Randy Wells. "As the industry leader in new legal marketing strategies, our system provides a way for middle class Americans in need of legal services to find a lawyer and get the representation they deserve."
The Rhode Island opinion follows that of the North Carolina State Bar, 2004 Formal Ethics Opinion 1, published April 24, 2004, entitled "Participation in On-Line Legal Matching Service" that stated "Opinion rules that a lawyer may participate in an on-line service that is similar to both a lawyer referral service and a legal directory provided there is no fee sharing with the service and all communications about the lawyer and the service are truthful."
About LegalMatch
Established in 1999, with a formal site-launch in 2000, LegalMatch is the nation's premiere provider of online legal services. LegalMatch is the best place for consumers to find the right attorney and for attorneys to build and focus a practice. Corporate offices are located in San Francisco and Los Angeles. For more information regarding the company or this initiative, please contact Don Keane, Vice-President of Marketing at (415) 946-0855.
About the Rhode Island Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Panel
The Ethics Advisory Panel was established by the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 1986 to provide Rhode Island attorneys with confidential advice on prospective behavior based on the Rules of Professional Conduct. The Supreme Court appoints five Rhode Island attorneys to serve on the panel for either two or three-year terms. Although attorneys are not required to abide by panel opinions, those who do so are fully protected from any subsequent charge of impropriety.