The Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America aren’t going to just roll over and die after last month’s ethics opinion in New Jersey banned lawyers from advertising their status. Both firms have hired law firms to fight the ruling. (Keep reading →)

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It seems that Bar Associations are on a crusade to regulate lawyer marketing at all cost. Recently, New Jersey stepped up its restrictions by stating that “Super Lawyer” and “Best Lawyer in America” designations are inappropriate for lawyer advertising. (see PDF) (Keep reading →)

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Apparently, the Florida Bar Association, known for its strict advertising rules has gone after some lawyers for their advertising. According to ReedSmith’s Adlaw newsletter:

The Bar is set to try a case in court against a Ft. Lauderdale personal injury firm, Pape & Chandler, P.A., for its use of a pit bull wearing a spiked collar and the number 1-800-PIT-BULL in television and print ads. The Bar determined the ads violate Supreme Court rules because the image of a pit bull is not informational and therefore not objectively relevant, but it is manipulative because it appeals to the emotions of consumers, the lawyer prosecuting the case told the Miami Daily Business Review.

Pape & Chandler, a personal injury firm that has developed a focus on representing clients injured in motorcycle accidents, continues to use the pit bull image in ads, firm marketing materials, and merchandise such as t-shirts and baseball caps, which it sells to the public.

Name partner John Pape wrote in a letter to the Bar that the firm selected the pit bull terrier because it represents strength, tenacity and loyalty - characteristics that he’d like the public to associate with his firm.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. While I haven’t seen the ads & therefore can’t comment on their use of the pit bull, it is interesting to note that much of “branding” revolves around emotional appeal. It seems that if the Florida bar decision stands, marketing a firm in Florida will become quite difficult.

» Read Article: Florida Bar Cracks Down On Lawyer Advertising

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Advertising Laws as stated by the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (provided by the Legal Information Institute)

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You’ve heard it before, right? A salesman calls you up and wants to sell you advertising in their newspaper, on the internet, in the yellow pages, or some other publication. They tell you how other customers have gotten a great response and they’re sure yours will too. So, you say what the heck and try it - only to get no response. What happened? Should you leave the ad in longer? Buy a bigger ad? Try a different publication? Or give up altogether? Here are some ways to increase your advertising response.

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