Bill > SB37

This bill aims to strengthen regulations around attorney advertising and solicitation in California by introducing several key provisions. It expands the definition of "advertisement" to include any communication providing information about legal services with the intent of encouraging individuals to hire a lawyer, and broadens restrictions on what attorneys can include in their advertisements. The bill prohibits misleading, deceptive, or false statements about a lawyer's skills, experience, or record, and limits references to awards or recognitions from organizations. Additionally, attorneys must now disclose their office location or State Bar address in advertisements. The bill allows any person to bring a civil action for violations, with potential statutory damages ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per violation, and empowers the State Bar to review and take action against problematic advertisements. For lawyer referral services, the bill introduces new requirements for joint advertising, including that each participating attorney must take liability for the content of the advertisement. The legislation also extends the State Bar's review procedures to include joint advertising arrangements and provides a mechanism for consumers who are misled by advertisements to seek legal remedies. Ultimately, the bill seeks to increase transparency, reduce deceptive practices, and protect consumers in legal advertising.

Budget and Finance, Justice

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