Lawfluencers opting for ‘quantity over quality’, researchers claim

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By Legal Cheek on

6

TikTok and YouTube judged as main culprits for lawyers providing “off the cuff” advice

In a study published by the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics, lawfluencers (or lawyer-influencers) have come under fire for providing “rushed, poorly researched or even inaccurate” advice.

The popular trend of junior lawyers and law students providing careers advice for aspiring lawyers on social media platforms has been a positive and innovative way that those within the profession have been able to expand access to the field of law.

However, a distinct, growing form of law influencing — which sees qualified solicitors and barristers offering fast ‘legal advice’ to their audiences — has been found to contain certain “ethics risks”, with viewers receiving sub-par and even inaccurate legal information, according to new research.

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Legal content creators are “significantly influenced by algorithms” on media platforms such as TikTok, according to the research paper, which encourages them to speedily push out content that consequently doesn’t meet the required benchmark to be considered professional work or advice. In return, the algorithm rewards them with more views, subscribers and, ultimately, income.

Some lawyers are even using the platforms to “build a new career entirely”, the paper found.

It raises concerns around unqualified lawfluencers who are blurring the lines between legal ‘information’ and ‘advice’, despite being unqualified to give the latter. Other ethical risks include building “inadvertent lawyer-client relationships” with viewers and concerns over breaches of fiduciary duties, including the duty of confidentiality.

The research concludes with the hope that lawfluencers “can act as the trusted voices within the crowd, filtering out the unreliable sources and information while continuing to ethically adhere to their professional duties.”

6 Comments

Bantonio Banteras

Lawfluencers provide baseless advice to make money?

What an absolute shocker

hmmm

It is fascinating when you see certain “future trainee” influencers who, on LinkedIn, appear to have founded companies in their own name – one wonders what service they provide.

I recall a certain (at the time) future trainee at Baker McKenzie having done so.

Al

That was an interesting read. To declare an interest, I do a little Youtube channel on legal matters; and contribute to another channel. My aim is/was to ‘demystify’ the law. Some of that is commentary on stories in the news; explaining the legal principles at issue, that sort of thing. I also just talk about general legal issues and procedure; the idea being it’s practical guidance that people might be able to apply in their everyday lives.

It is noticeable though that views are a lot higher when it’s a ‘hot topic’. I don’t know if that’s because people are more interested in those, or whether the algorithm just pushes those to be more visible to people.

From the feedback though, there is a demand just to talk about ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of the legal system. People seem to like hearing about amusing tales from the Bar or obscure legal quirks.

Generally though I make it clear that this is just guidance and not to be relied upon for any specific case. Although on occasions we have given live advice on actual cases, with the permission of the client. So people can see how we approach cases.

It’s a bit of a bugbear of mine that legal reporting tends to be, to put it kindly, not always entirely accurate as to the principles involved. So I do my best to clarify things; although always with the caveat that it’s just my view and I don’t claim infallibility.

As it happens we do have an upcoming video with the Bar Standards Board about barristers and social media; so it’s all getting very meta.

Liesss

Be honest with yourself. You’re not trying to “demystify” law. You just like the attention and money lol that’s fine but don’t give me that nonsense

C

It all started with that one who changed into tech from LL.

V

When you say advice are we talking the “law” or advice on how to get a TC/VS?

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