Back in the day, law firms either relied on their reputations and referrals from former clients or they paid for billboards and phone book ads. If you are a solo or small firm practitioner, you likely don’t have a lot of time or a huge marketing budget to compete with larger firms to attract new clients, but a simple, well-crafted digital marketing strategy can be all that you need for maintaining a steady flow of client activity.

In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Rob Saravia and Jeff Hazen, to discuss practical marketing tips and Bar Advertising Rules.

Rob Saravia is The Florida Bar’s new marketing manager aiding growth in the Programs Department. He brings over 4 years of experience in the marketing field, with a focus on the dynamic realm of retail marketing. Rob is a graduate of Florida State University with a double major in Marketing and Economics.

Jeff Hazen serves as the Assistant Ethics Counsel for the Florida Bar, with over 15 years of dedicated service. Throughout his tenure at The Florida Bar, Jeff has handled thousands of inquiries on the Ethics Hotline, assessed numerous lawyer advertisements, and issued dozens of staff Ethics Opinions. Jeff is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 0.5 hour of General CLE credit including 0.5 hour of Ethics CLE credit. Course # 8214.

REFERENCED RESOURCES:

• Article: Law Firm Marketing Strategy: Top 8 Ideas to Grow a Legal Practice (by Clio)

• The Florida Bar Advertising Regulation and Information

• Handbook on Lawyer Advertising and Solicitation

• Chapter 4 Rules of Professional Conduct

• 4-7.13 Deceptive and Inherently Misleading Advertisements

• 4-7.16 Presumptively Valid Content

• 4-7.18 Direct Contact with Prospective Clients

• 4-7.20 Exemptions from the Filing and Review Requirement

• Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 20-01: Negative Online Reviews

• Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 21-1: Negative Online Reviews

• Ethics Hotline 800-235-8619

• Grow Your Practice – Join the Lawyer Referral Service

• LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar

• LegalFuel: Marketing Resources