Ethical Use of Technology - The Cyber Advocate

7 Simple, Fraud-Free Ways to Handle Negative Reviews

by Brian Focht | Oct 27, 2016

I’ve been lucky, and I have no problem admitting that. To date, I haven’t had a client who, either during or after completion of my representation, decided to burn me by posting a scathing negative review online. While I may have had a few clients that... read more

Buy Your Way to Thought Leadership! (Yes, sarcasm)

by Brian Focht | Nov 5, 2015

Looking for help being a lawyer? Well, Thompson Reuters, presumably in an attempt to remain relevant and bolster revenue after Ravel Law and Harvard Law School banded together to make case law free, has the following offer: “Websites need fresh content on a... read more

Florida’s Social Media Ethics Opinion is Bad. Really Bad.

by Brian Focht | Jul 21, 2015

I really wish the state of Florida didn’t provide me so much material to write about. Hell, I’ve even written about this particular topic before, when Florida drafted a proposed opinion for the spoliation of social media. I hoped that the Florida bar would... read more

Florida Bar: Destroying Relevant Evidence is A-OK!

by Brian Focht | Feb 12, 2015

“A lawyer… may advise that a client remove information relevant to the foreseeable proceeding from social media pages.” That’s right, the Florida bar just decided it’s okay to destroy evidence. Evidence the attorney knows will be... read more

New Attorney Advertising Decisions Reduce Ethical Minefield

by Brian Focht | Jan 19, 2015

Advertising as an attorney is a perilous endeavor. On one hand, nobody can find you if you don’t advertise. On the other hand, advertise in a new or particularly outrageous (for lawyers) way, and risk drawing the ire of your state bar ethics board. Writing about... read more

A Social Media Ethics Opinion that Got It Right

by Brian Focht | Sep 26, 2014

Score one for the Pennsylvania Bar Association. All social media ethics opinions should be written this way. Sure, I admit it, the Pennsylvania Bar is a little late to the party when it comes to their most recent social media ethics opinion, but at least they did... read more

The Ethics of Social Media, Pt. 5 [Slideshow]

by Brian Focht | Jun 10, 2014

Part 1: The Importance of Social Media to the Modern Law Practice Part 2: Marketing Your Practice on Social Media Part 3: Personal Use of Social Media Part 4: Social Media in Discovery Part 5: Social Media as a Research Tool Part 6: Advise Your Clients Wisely! (June... read more