State Bar & Bar Associations,
Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Jun. 2, 2025
Banning attorney advertising doesn't help domestic violence victims - better counsel does
The State Bar's proposed ban on attorney advertising in domestic violence cases could give one side an unfair advantage, delay legal representation and create a false sense of security, while failing to address the real safety risks victims face.
James I. Ham
Founder
Law Office of James I. Ham
James I. Ham serves as outside California legal ethics and attorney regulation counsel, and is founder of the Law Office of James I. Ham.
The legislature has declared that domestic violence accounts for
more than 15% of all violent crimes and more than 10% of all homicides in
California. Family Code § 6309(a)(1)(A). Additionally, the risk of violence is
heightened during a person's attempts to leave the relationship. Family Code §
6309(a)(1)(B). This is well known to attorneys, counsellors, pro bono legal
service providers, and shelter operators.
Recently, the State Bar's Commit...
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