This document summarizes the ethics of using social media for lawyers. It defines different types of social media like personal communication, broadcast media, and professional communication. It then discusses the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct regarding advertising online, direct contact with clients, communication of areas of practice, and firm names. It provides examples of cases where lawyers were disciplined for their social media use and discusses general rules around confidentiality, impartiality, unauthorized practice of law and respecting the rights of third parties. The document concludes with recommendations to be honest, use disclaimers if uncertain, and follow the same communication rules online as offline.

1. How to Keep Clients (and Not Lose Friends): An Introduction to the Ethics of Social Media By Elizabeth Lewis Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.