Question: Attorney plans to present educational seminars about estate planning. At the end of the seminar, a non-lawyer presenter will give information about costs of estate planning and offer audience members a discount certificate for Attorney’s estate planning services. Alternatively, Attorney is considering sending attendees a follow-up letter describing Attorney’s services and enclosing a discount certificate. May Attorney participate in the program?
Answer: Attorney may give educational seminars. It is permissible for information about Attorney’s legal services to be available at the seminar for inquirers, but Attorney may not initiate the in-person solicitation of legal business. The promotion of Attorney’s services or offering of a discount certificate at the seminar would constitute in-person solicitation prohibited by Rule 4-7.3. Attorney may not violate Rule 4-7.3 through the actions of another, including a non-lawyer co-presenter at the seminar. See Rule 4-8.4(a). Attorney may mail attendees a solicitation letter after the seminar if the written solicitation complies in all respects with Rule 4-7.3, Direct Contact with Prospective Clients.

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