98-4.

• Case Date: April 02, 1998
• Court: Kansas

Kansas Ethics Opinion 1998. 98-4. April 2, 1998KBA Legal Ethics Opinion No. 98-4April 2, 1998 TOPIC: Trade booth, free seminar, public broadcasting advertising DIGEST: Attorneys may advertise by sponsoring public education or public television programming, so long the advertising is truthful and not misleading and otherwise conforms to MRPC 7.1 through 7.5. Further, attorneys may present general legal information to residents at a medical school so long as personal legal advice is not given and there is no fee paid to the school for the privilege of making such presentation. However, the Committee believes that attorneys may not pass out brochures at trade shows where the general public is invited because such advertising involves direct solicitation of prospective clients and meets none of the recognized exceptions to the solicitation rule. Date of Request: February 16, 1998 REF: MRPC 7.1 through 7.5 inclusive The function of the Kansas Bar Association's ethics advisory service is to respond to inquiries from Kansas lawyer concerning proposed conduct. The limitations on the service do not allow us to render an opinion regarding past conduct or the conduct of someone other than the inquirer. The following constitutes only the opinion of the Committee on Ethics-Advisory Services, and is not in any way intended to be a guarantee of a particular result or a conclusion by appropriate authorities. Further, this letter constitutes the Committee's opinion based upon the facts and information contained in correspondence above referenced. It is based upon a review of the disciplinary rules, model rules of professional responsibility and conduct, and applicable case law. This opinion is not a grant of immunity from any form of legal or disciplinary proceeding. The opinion herein is that of a KBA committee without official governmental status. The Kansas Bar Association expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the issuance of this opinion. FACTS Attorney who is "of counsel" with a law firm desires to explore different advertising means. 1. Counsel wants to obtain a display booth at an area trade show. Tailoring a brochure to the show's theme - e.g. if the trade show is a lawn and garden show, the brochure would discuss a checklist for homeowners to review when hiring contractors - as well as brochures for the small businesses...