Advertising Law

Lindsay Lohan Files $100M Suit Over E-Trade’s ‘Milkaholic’ Baby

Updated: Lindsay Lohan claims in a $100 million lawsuit that the boyfriend-stealing, milkaholic baby featured in an E-Trade ad is modeled after her. The ad debuted during the Super Bowl, the New York Post reports. It portrays a baby boy apologizing to his girlfriend via an online video chat for…

Mar 9, 2010 2:32 PM CST

Wielding Sealed TRO, Microsoft Shuts Down 270+ Web Addresses in Ex Parte Botnet Battle

In a litigation tactic that reportedly has never been tried before to combat a global malicious software attack, Microsoft Corp. won a sealed temporary restraining order in an ex parte “John Doe” federal court action in Virginia this week. It allowed the company to shut down, without prior notice to…

Feb 25, 2010 9:47 PM CST

Suit Says Yelp Runs ‘Extortion Scheme,’ Asks for Ad Money to Modify Bad Reviews

The operators of a popular Internet customer review site for restaurants and small businesses have been sued by two law firms alleging unfair business practices and an “extortion scheme.” Yelp, the suit alleges, has its employees “call businesses demanding monthly payments, in the guise of ‘advertising contracts,’ in exchange for…

Feb 24, 2010 11:19 PM CST

Infomercial Pitchman Gets 30 Days for Crashing Federal Judge’s Computer

Updated: During a criminal contempt hearing in Chicago last week, U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman said he was inclined to sentence infomercial pitchman Kevin Trudeau to a jail term for unleashing a flood of fan e-mail that crashed the jurist’s computer. And today, calling the deluge of some 300 e-mails…

Feb 17, 2010 9:34 PM CST

Radio Host in Contempt Case Urges Fans to E-Mail Court; Federal Judge Is Not Pleased

Updated: Facing a new ruling from U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, after a federal appeals court instructed him to reconsider an earlier $37.6 million contempt sanction, infomercial pitchman Kevin Trudeau apparently thought the judge might take note of praise from his fans for his books. And Gettleman clearly did. Finding…

Feb 12, 2010 1:15 AM CST

Woman Charged with Felony, Used Fake Craigslist Job Ad to Harass Ex-Boss, Cops Say

Seeking to harass a former boss, a 33-year-old Houston woman allegedly posted a fake job ad on Craigslist, sending a flood of calls to his office from would-be applicants. But Amanda Anderson created an even bigger problem for herself, according to Friendswood police. She has now been charged with a…

Feb 9, 2010 6:43 PM CST

Panel OKs Total Attorneys Web Ads With ‘Very Little Margin for Error’

Updated: An Internet advertising scheme in which lawyers pay $65 per referral for names of potential clients passes ethical muster with “very little margin for error,” an attorney discipline panel says in an opinion today. Explaining its ruling (PDF) last month that the Total Attorneys Inc. advertising does not violate…

Feb 8, 2010 8:45 PM CST

Toyota Lawsuit Tally Tops 30, But One Multidistrict Case May Be the Result

In the wake of Toyota Motor Corp.’s well-publicized recalls of millions of cars over acceleration issues—and customer concerns that other models also have issues or have been adversely affected by the battering of the brand—at least 30 lawsuits have now been filed in the United States and Canada. Many plaintiffs…

Feb 5, 2010 8:40 PM CST

Grade Anxiety

Firms fret about clients rating their work

Feb 1, 2010 10:29 AM CST

That’s Not His Name in Our Name, Law Firm Says of Ex-Partner’s Suit

In an attempt to force a Detroit law firm to change its name, a former shareholder filed suit against Charfoos & Christensen last week. Now that he has moved to Charfoos Giovan & Birach, potential clients could be confused by the name duplication, he contends. But the suit by Lawrence…

Jan 26, 2010 6:18 PM CST

Sign of the Times: Clorox Seeks Lawyer for Social Media Issues

Clorox is hiring an in-house lawyer to focus on legal issues surrounding social media. The company’s ad for a social media legal expert is “rather surprising,” but it’s a sign of the times, Advertising Age reports. Many companies already use social media to promote their products, and Clorox is no…

Jan 25, 2010 3:14 PM CST

Attorney with Big Ad Budget Can Open Law Office LLC in 49th State, Court Says

In a ruling that is sure to disappoint competing firms that sought to block a national attorney known for his blockbuster advertising budget from establishing a local foothold, the Rhode Island Supreme Court today ruled that James Sokolove can form a law firm limited liability corporation there. It will be…

Jan 22, 2010 12:54 AM CST

Ex-Client Sues Debevoise for $55M re ‘Variety of Chimera & Boondoggles’

It’s a truism that a law firm that sues a client to collect an unpaid bill is almost asking for a malpractice claim. And a $6 million unpaid-bill suit filed by Debevoise & Plimpton last year against a former client is not the exception that proves the rule. In an…

Jan 14, 2010 7:03 PM CST

Parents’ Bill for ‘Balloon Boy’ Stunt: $42K

Federal, state and local authorities have sent a $42,000 total rescue tab to the parents of a 6-year-old Colorado boy who was feared to be aloft, alone, thousands of feet in the air after accidentally setting sail in an experimental balloon, reports the Denver Post. In fact, the so-called balloon…

Dec 22, 2009 11:59 PM CST

Law Firm Website Redesign Lesson: Review Photos as Well as Text

Even when a well-known legal consultant is handling a law firm website redesign, it’s important for partners to retain an oversight role, a small Texas law firm has learned the hard way. Stock photo illustrations of seeming crime victims published in connection with descriptions of Lindeman, Alvarado & Frye’s sex…

Dec 7, 2009 7:54 PM CST