Lawyers have a duty to protect the confidentiality of their client’s information. They must keep client communications confidential, except in specific circumstances authorized by law or with the client’s consent.
Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in the attorney-client relationship. This is especially true for social media, where the audience could be in the millions, and it’s almost too easy to share information.
When it comes to confidentiality online, lawyers also need to be aware of unintentionally sharing information through security breaches. Information security and cyber security should be a top priority for your social media accounts and your website. In fact, only 43% of respondents in an american bar association study said their law firm website used ssl security (or https protocol).
Social Media Rules for Lawyers
Lawyers are required to avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise their loyalty to clients. They must not represent clients if their interests conflict with those of another current client, a former client, or their own personal interests. This ensures undivided loyalty and prevents potential harm to clients.
When it comes to social networking, you business email list can avoid conflicts of interest by taking steps to determine the actual identity of the people you’re interacting with online. Linkedin, a place built for professional networking, is the number one platform for lawyers. According to the american bar association, of all the firms reporting a social media presence, 87% were on linkedin. That includes 89% of firms with 2-9 lawyers and 95% of firms with 100 or more lawyers.
Uphold the Duty of Confidentiality
But even on business-forward sites like linkedin, you can never be too sure who’s behind the account. Be careful with the contacts you interact with and the information you’re sharing. Advertising and solicitation regulations should be top of mind for lawyers on social media.
For law firms and, advertising must BO Leads be truthful and not create unreasonable expectations. On social media, it’s important to represent yourself factually. On platforms like instagram or tiktok, it’s easy to get swept up in trending content. Just be careful you don’t overexaggerate, even for the ‘gram. It’s important to note that rules and regulations governing legal ethics may vary across jurisdictions.