Bill > HB430

This bill creates the Louisiana Lawyer Advertising and Unfair Trade Practices Act (LUPTA), which establishes comprehensive regulations for attorney advertising in Louisiana. The legislation aims to supplement existing professional conduct rules by creating strict guidelines for lawyer marketing, with the goal of protecting consumers and maintaining the legal profession's integrity. The bill defines lawyer advertising broadly and prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive communications, requiring advertisements to include the name and address of responsible attorneys. It mandates specific requirements for testimonials, online advertising, and marketing practices, such as including disclaimers about potential case results and prohibiting promises of guaranteed outcomes. The bill restricts direct solicitation after personal injury accidents, regulates the use of legal terms like "specialist," and requires transparency about settlement amounts. Violations of these provisions can result in penalties under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, with potential consequences including fines, sanctions, and even professional discipline like suspension or disbarment. The Louisiana Attorney General and State Bar Association will jointly enforce these regulations, and the law is designed to balance consumer protection with constitutional free speech rights. The act will apply only to advertisements created after its effective date and will become operational upon the governor's signature.

Business and Industry

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=HB430&sbi=y