(a) Generally. Information provided about a lawyer’s or law firm’s services upon request shall comply with the requirements of Rule 7.2 unless otherwise provided in this Rule 7.9.

(b) Request for Information by Potential Client. Whenever a potential client shall request information regarding a lawyer or law firm for the purpose of making a decision regarding employment of the lawyer or law firm:

(1) The lawyer or law firm may furnish such factual information regarding the lawyer or law firm deemed valuable to assist the client.

(2) The lawyer or law firm may furnish an engagement letter to the potential client; however, if the information furnished to the potential client includes a contingency fee contract, the top of each page of the contract shall be marked “SAMPLE” in print size at least as large as the largest print used in the contract and the words “DO NOT SIGN” shall appear on the client signature line.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (c)(1)(D) of Rule 7.2, information provided to a potential client in response to a potential client’s request may contain factually verifiable statements concerning past results obtained by the lawyer or law firm, if, either alone or in the context in which they appear, such statements are not otherwise false, misleading or deceptive.

(c) Disclosure of Intent to Refer Matter to Another Lawyer or Law Firm. A statement and any information furnished to a prospective client, as authorized by subdivision (b) of this Rule, that a lawyer or law firm will represent a client in a particular type of matter, without appropriate qualification, shall be presumed to be misleading if the lawyer reasonably believes that a lawyer or law firm not associated with the originally-retained lawyer or law firm will be associated or act as primary counsel in representing the client. In determining whether the statement is misleading in this respect, the history of prior conduct by the lawyer in similar matters may be considered.

Background

The Louisiana Supreme Court adopted this rule on June 26, 2008. It became effective October 1, 2009.

Notes

This page was updated on March 3, 2019.