Legal Advertising Dispute Concludes Abruptly
Arkansas personal injury attorney Jody Shackelford (pictured) has voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against national plaintiffs’ law firm Morgan & Morgan, a firm that is well known for its aggressive and expensive legal advertising campaigns.
According to a Reuters report, the firm spent the firm spent nearly $240 million in TV ads in 2023, and $40.3 million in digital ads that year, based on a February 2024 blog post from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform that cited data from advertisement analytics firms Tunnl and Sensor Tower.
The case, which alleged unfair and deceptive advertising practices, came to an unexpected close in Arkansas federal court.
Case Dismissal and Conflicting Statements
Shackelford filed a notice of voluntary dismissal, citing an undisclosed agreement with Morgan & Morgan.
However, Steven Quattlebaum, representing Morgan & Morgan, refuted claims of a settlement. Quattlebaum stated that the plaintiff dismissed the case when faced with a hearing on a motion to dismiss and potential sanctions for filing a frivolous lawsuit.
Original Allegations
The lawsuit, filed in July, accused Morgan & Morgan of running advertisements with “dramatizations”, using client testimonials in violation of professional conduct rules, engaging in false advertising under federal law and causing harm to Shackelford’s practice through unfair competition
Legal Implications
The case’s dismissal raises questions about the boundaries of legal advertising and the potential for litigation between competing law firms. It also highlighted the challenges in proving harm from advertising practices within the legal industry where aggressive and often ‘edgy’ marketing has pushed the boundaries of legal ethics.
isn’t it a bit odd how these tech giants flip-flop? Last year, it’s all bans and censorship, now throwing cash to settle. What changed their tune so fast? Guess Zuckerberg really wants to get on Trump’s good side, huh LawFuel Editors?
Oh, surely it’s just their undying love for free speech and not at all about political moves. Right.
The $25 million settlement indicates a potential shift in how tech companies might handle public figures and censorship issues in the future. It’s a delicate balance between platform policies and free speech rights.
Let’s be real, this isn’t about justice or free speech; it’s a pure power play. Big Tech’s just covering their bases, playing it safe with whoever’s in charge. What actually matters is how this influences content moderation going forward.
zuckerberg and trump sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G? lol, never thought I’d see the day when tech moguls turn into political butterflies. wonder what meme will come out of this.
This is but a grand theatre, with the actors donning their masks of concern and fairness. But beneath, it’s the old game of influence and control. One must wonder, in settling with Trump, has Meta conceded to power or played into it?