Bill > SB37

This bill amends several sections of California's Business and Professions Code to strengthen regulations around attorney advertising and referral services. The bill expands the legal framework for addressing unlawful solicitations by attorneys, allowing individuals to bring civil actions for violations with potential statutory damages ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per violation. It introduces new restrictions on attorney advertisements, prohibiting misleading or deceptive statements about a lawyer's skills, experience, or awards, and requiring specific disclosures such as the lawyer's office location. The bill also modifies rules for lawyer referral services, mandating that joint advertisements clearly identify participating attorneys and that each attorney take liability for the advertisement's content. Additionally, the legislation creates a process for filing complaints with the State Bar about potentially improper advertisements, giving advertisers opportunities to withdraw problematic content and establishing conditions under which consumers can pursue civil actions. The bill aims to increase transparency, protect consumers from misleading legal marketing, and provide mechanisms for addressing unethical advertising practices in the legal profession.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB37