Ruling Mixed On La. Lawyer Ad Rules

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court has ruled some of the Louisiana Supreme Court's new restrictions on lawyer advertising are unconstitutional, while several others can be enforced.

Monday's ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals strikes down a blanket ban on ads that depict judges or juries or refer to an attorney's past results obtained for clients. The three-judge panel also overturned a rule governing the type size and speed of speech in print and broadcast ad disclaimers.

But the panel upheld rules that bar attorneys from promising results, using actors to portray clients without a disclaimer and limit the use of mottos.

Attorneys Morris Bart of New Orleans and William Gee III of Lafayette had asked the 5th Circuit to review a lower court ruling.