Constitutional Law

Supreme Court stays out of N.Y. lawyer-ad fight

By By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON ? The Supreme Court will not get involved in a New York dispute over whether officials can curb some law firms' television commercials.

The high court refused today to hear an appeal from New York officials who passed rules that would restrict some TV ads by local law firms.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down much of the state's proposed regulations, which included bans on client testimonials and paid endorsements, and nicknames, mottos or trade names that suggest a law office's ability to obtain results.

Personal-injury firm Alexander & Catalano and advocacy group Public Citizen Inc. challenged the rules.

The firm wanted to be known as "The Heavy Hitters" but abandoned the motto for fear of running afoul of the new rules.

The case is Cahill v Alexander, 10-203.

Full post as published by First Amendment Center on December 12, 2010 (boomark / email).