The Social Media Frontier: Exploring a New Mandate for Competence in the Practice of Law

52 Pages Posted: 13 Aug 2013 Last revised: 11 Nov 2014

See all articles by Jan L. Jacobowitz

Jan L. Jacobowitz

Legal Ethics Advisor; University of Miami - School of Law

Danielle Singer

University of Miami - School of Law

Date Written: August 7, 2013

Abstract

Attorney Mark O’Mara’s use of social media as part of the defense strategy in the representation of George Zimmerman, who was prosecuted for the death of Trayvon Martin, highlighted the use of social media in the practice of law, and because of the tremendous media coverage of the trial, facilitated a robust conversation on whether the legal profession’s use of social media is the “new normal.” In fact, lawyers’ increasing use of social media is evidenced by a growing body of case law, ethics opinions, and journal articles discussing the propriety of using social media in areas such as investigation, discovery, and jury selection. Nonetheless, social media is often discussed as a slippery slope where only the adventurous among the legal profession are traveling. However, technology and social media are evolving so quickly that lawyers who elect not to participate in social media may be in for a rude awakening. An awakening that makes clear that the requisite level of competence and expertise required to effectively represent clients and avoid disciplinary and malpractice exposure requires an understanding and use of social media and technology in the practice of law. This article will explore the legal profession’s historical relationship with communication technology, relevant legal ethics rules and opinions, court decisions and malpractice concerns, which all support the contention that the use of social media and technology in the practice of law not only has become a required component of effective lawyering, but also that the failure to employ social media may result in the ineffective representation of clients, disciplinary complaints, and/or malpractice claims.

Keywords: social media, Facebook, legal ethics, legal malpractice, attorney competence

Suggested Citation

Jacobowitz, Jan L. and Singer, Danielle, The Social Media Frontier: Exploring a New Mandate for Competence in the Practice of Law (August 7, 2013). University of Miami Law Review, Vol 68 Issue 2 (2014), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2309161

Jan L. Jacobowitz (Contact Author)

Legal Ethics Advisor ( email )

6500 SW 100th ST
Miami, FL 33156
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://legalethicsadvisor.com

University of Miami - School of Law ( email )

1311 Miller Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
United States

Danielle Singer

University of Miami - School of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 248087
Coral Gables, FL 33146
United States

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