Why chase ambulances, when the ambulances come to you online? It turns out that ambulance chasing lawyers have found a much more effective method of going after clients: they have local sheriffs email them a daily list of who’s been arrested – including their home addresses. Some services even promise to send out letters based on the list within hours of receiving it. People who are arrested are likely to find a stack of letters from lawyers wanting their business – often targeted directly to their alleged crime – within days. In one case described in the article, lawyers were informed (and had mailed out solicitations) two days before a young man’s parents were notified he’d been arrested. Of course, the information on arrest records are public, but some are wondering if the direct mailing of such info to lawyers really makes sense. The lawyers, of course, respond that they’re only trying to get those arrested the best possible help. [Techdirt]
Ugh.
In some jurisdictions it's a violation of ethics rules to specifically solicit someone who you know to be in need of a particular service immediately. In other words, you can send a firm brochure in a mailer generally, but you're not supposed to send a letter saying "hey I heard you got arrested; I can help you!".
ReplyDeleteApparently, that's not the case in all jurisdictions, but maybe it should be.
Warmest regards,
Glenn K. Garnes
"Talk About Push(y) Technology..."
ReplyDeletePosted by Rick Klau: "Why chase ambulances, when the ambulances come to you online? It turns out that ambulance chasing
Why Chase Ambulances...
ReplyDelete...When the Ambulances Come to You Online This article, Digital databases speed up lawyers' search for clients notes how "direct solicitations from digitally adept lawyers are coming under increasing scrutiny." Sources: Stark County Law Library Blog, t...