The U.S. Supreme Court overturned restrictions on legal advertising in the United States in the 1977 case Bates v. State Bar of Arizona which allowed Jacoby & Meyers to place their first print ad in the Los Angeles Times the following day and aired their first television commercials within days, making it the first U.S. law firm to advertise on television.^[3][1]

There were many positive aspects to the public being made aware where they could obtain legal services and the type of legal services they should seek. Fast forward today to where what seems to be 50% of viewing time on television saturated with advertising. A significant portion of advertising are law firms touting the massive amount of damages they have obtained for clients from polluted water, car accidents, kids being fondled by priests, etc. A percentage of these ads are from actors and referral companies that
hand off to law firms nationally. Some suggest that if you call into their phone bank – and during the ad you can see many people answering phones in the background.

Which firm should you call? Call all of them and find out who feels your case is worth the most money is probably a logical choice for many viewers who feel they have been injured. One ad even lets viewers know they can sue a priest who may have died some time ago.

On balance – it is best that people know what their options are. Unfortunately many of these commercials bring out the worst instincts not just of the injured parties – but of the legal profession.