100768 NYEO, ETH 089

• Case Date: October 07, 1968
• Court: New York

ETH 089 Ethics Opinion 089 New York Ethics Opinion New York State Bar Association Professional Ethics Committee Opinion October 7, 1968          (22-68)          Topic: Articles          Digest: Publication of legal articles in newspapers and magazines          Canons: Former Canons 40, 27          QUESTION          May an attorney write a series of unsolicited articles on legal subjects in lay magazines and newspapers?          OPINION          It is the opinion of the Committee that it would be proper for an attorney to write such articles.          Canon 40 of the Canons of Professional Ethics expressly states that "a lawyer may with propriety write articles for publication in which he gives information upon the law." This Canon has been interpreted by many bar associations, see ABA 92, ABA In­formal 228, ABA 463, 538, 743; New York City Bar Association 270, 859; New York County Lawyers 264, 396, 516. All of these opinions permit the publication of articles provided they are of a general nature. The writing may be done with or without compensation, ABA 92; New York City 270.          Under no circumstances may the writer-lawyer answer even anonymously inquiries for advice in newspapers or other publications. Canon 40, ABA 270, ABA Informal 538.          Neither should the writing be in any way self laudatory since this would have the effect of being indirect advertising in violation of Canon 27. (See...