I have previously written about how some attorneys continue to ignore bar standards encouraging firms to show basic professionalism and decorum in advertising. While we all agree that there is a free speech right to advertise, the vast majority of lawyers show great restraint in deference to the standards of our profession. Then there are people like Michael A. Fiumara. Fiumara of Santa Rosa has posted a juvenile advertisement featuring a sexually suggestive doll in his effort to win the race to the bottom among low-grade lawyers.

The video features Fiumara with the doll who responds with phrases like “Oooh, baby, it’s so big!” to his play performed scene of speaking with a client. While people are expressing disgust and attorneys calling his antics “sick” and embarrassing, Fiumara seems to relish the attention, even negative attention. He plans a sequel.

After the doll makes a sexual suggestion, he tells her that he has to end the conversation and refer her to another attorney, because the California Rules of Professional Conduct forbid him to have sex with clients. There was a time when the same bar forbade this type of sophomoric advertisement, of course. Fiumara is regrettably the price for free speech. A very very high price.

Source: ABA Journal