House debate narrows on bill to treat attorney ads under unfair-trade rules

Representative Carver introduced House Bill 6-77 to clarify that attorney advertising be treated the same as other business advertising under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The bill, Carver said, “simply revises the existing Louisiana unfair trade practices act to clarify what constitutes a deceptive or misleading ad by an attorney and provides procedure for the attorney general enforcement under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act.” He added that the provision would require advertisements stating gross recovery amounts to “state only the amount gross amount with disclosure of litigation expenses or the net amount after litigation expenses have been deducted.”

Supporters told colleagues the measure is aimed at protecting…