Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls on Social Networking Sites

As members of the online social networking generation, we know too well the tendency to overshare “private” exploits, but as new lawyers, we can’t ignore the benefits of professional development through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and blogs. In this article, we offer some advice on how to ethically and professionally take advantage of the benefits of online networking. Our advice is geared to those of you who have lots of legal experience but little social networking knowledge, and those of you who have lots of social networking knowledge but little legal experience.

First, we think more attorneys should be taking advantage of the benefits of online social networks. You can develop contacts through networking sites, market yourself to potential clients through authoritative blogs, reach out to colleagues for discussions about difficult legal issues through listservs or message boards, and Google your adversaries, potential clients, and witnesses. But while you surf, remember three things: 1) never betray client confidences; 2) be professional in the way you present yourself online, and avoid the temptation to overshare; and 3) when tapping into the vast resources of information and marketing tools available online, do so ethically.