Samuel C. Stretton.

Partnership with Smart Start doesn't seem smart at all.

I saw some attorneys advertising their partnership with Smart Start, the interlock ignition device provider, for persons convicted of driving under the influence. They advertise the coupons that they will give their clients to save $70. Is that ethical?

The Smart Start-ignition interlock device is apparently advertising heavily in Pennsylvania due to the new changes of the rules for ignition interlock. To attract attorneys there's a Smart Start Attorney Partner Program put together by the company. Apparently, the attorney pays some very small fee and is considered a “partner” in the Smart Start business. In return, the attorney is given a number of free coupons worth $70, which they can give to their clients to get reduced fees on the ignition interlock. The attorneys can also get a portable breath tester device for $75, which is apparently less than the $129 purchase price.

This leads into the question, since some attorneys are advertising on websites or elsewhere that they have free coupons and they are using them to attract new clients.