End of TikTok dances? Lawyers required to remove videos from the web

The National Ethics Committee of the Israel Bar Association has issued a new opinion regulating lawyers' videos on social media. The guidelines prohibit songs, dances, and animation, require appropriate attire, and restrict legal content. The rules take effect in 45 days and apply to existing posts as well.

The National Ethics Committee of the Israel Bar Association published today (Sunday) a new opinion regulating lawyers' videos on social media. The guidelines aim to set boundaries for a phenomenon that has become widespread in recent years, and will apply to TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. Among the guidelines: the use of songs, dances, and animation will generally be considered a violation of professional dignity. Lawyers are required to appear in appropriate attire, and videos should be filmed in an office or a professional studio. Content should be based solely on substantive and professional speech, without loud music or effects. The committee prohibits posts that focus only on achievements such as a lenient sentence or a high settlement amount, without detailing the circumstances of the case, and prohibits sweeping promises like "debt cancellation" or "winning the case." Additionally, informed written consent is required to present clients or employees. The guidelines take effect in 45 days and will also apply to already-published videos, so lawyers will be required to adapt or remove existing posts.