Law360 Quotes Elizabeth Rice, Esq. on Proposed Changes to Attorney Ethics Rules

The recent Law360 article “Proposed Changes To NJ Atty Ethics Rules Raise Worry In Bar” features commentary by Elizabeth “Beth” Rice, who rejoined Buttaci, Leardi & Werner as General Counsel and Director of Legal Operations after serving as the Deputy Statewide Ethics Coordinator for the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE).  

Asked to weigh in on proposed changes to New Jersey’s attorney ethics rules that would require suspended, disbarred, or disability-inactive attorneys to clearly state online that they cannot practice law, Beth noted that the proposals are “a good, commonsense extension of rules already in place for disbarred, suspended or disability-inactive attorneys to take into account modern technology….and the proposals simply make it clear what an attorney’s obligations are regarding modern ways clients reach attorneys, like social media.”

“One might argue that you should be doing these things already,” she said. “This just makes it clear that there are no loopholes.”

Affected attorneys would need to update websites, social media accounts, email addresses, and voicemail greetings so the public does not mistake them for authorized practitioners. Supporters say the rule reflects how clients now find and vet lawyers online.  Read the full article here. (Subscription may be required.)

• Posted on: Mar 11 2026