House File 702 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1establishing advertisement limitations for attorneys and
2counselors.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1   Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  602.10112  Attorney and counselor
2advertisements — prohibitions.
   3An attorney and counselor shall not advertise, through
4written, recorded, or electronic communication, including
5public and social media, specific dollar amounts of
6settlements, amount of damages awarded in an adjudicated
7case, or any earnings gained for a client. An attorney and
8counselor who violates this section is in violation of the
9rules of professional conduct and subject to discipline by the
10attorney disciplinary board. The attorney disciplinary board
11may bring suit to enforce this section, including by obtaining
12an injunction or temporary restraining order for the removal of
13an advertisement that violates this section.
14   Sec. 2.  AMENDMENT OF THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.  The
15supreme court shall amend rule of professional conduct 32:
167.2, relating to communications concerning a lawyer’s services,
17to be consistent with the provisions of this Act.
18EXPLANATION
19The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
20the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   21This bill provides advertisement guidelines for attorneys
22and counselors.
   23The bill prohibits an attorney and counselor from
24advertising any dollar amounts the attorney and counselor has
25won for a client, including a settlement amount or amount of
26damages awarded in an adjudicated case.
   27The bill provides that a violation of the bill results
28in the attorney and counselor being in violation of chapter
2932 of the court rules (the rules of professional conduct)
30and the attorney and counselor is subject to discipline by
31the attorney disciplinary board. The bill provides that the
32attorney disciplinary board may bring suit to enforce the new
33Code section, including for the removal of advertisements that
34violate the bill.
   35The bill directs the supreme court to amend rule of
-1-1professional conduct 32: 7.2 to be consistent with the bill.
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