Bill > SB37

This bill aims to strengthen regulations and enforcement mechanisms surrounding attorney advertisements and solicitations in California. It expands the legal definitions of "advertisement" and "advertise" to more comprehensively cover communications about legal services, and prohibits attorneys from making misleading or deceptive claims in their advertisements. Specifically, the bill bans guarantees or predictions of legal outcomes, restricts references to past results, and limits mentions of professional recognitions or awards. The bill introduces significant new enforcement mechanisms, allowing consumers who are misled by an advertisement to bring civil actions after filing a complaint with the State Bar. These civil actions can seek statutory damages ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per advertisement, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief. The bill also requires advertisements to conspicuously display the name of at least one licensed California lawyer or law firm responsible for the advertisement. Courts would be required to consider factors like the nature of the misconduct, the number of violations, and the defendant's financial circumstances when assessing damages. The overall goal is to protect consumers from potentially deceptive legal advertising practices and provide more transparent information about legal services.

Budget and Finance, Justice

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