SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF A LAWYER: TO USE OR TO AVOID?

Over the past few years development in the social networks sphere has led to the difficulty of understanding how to take advantage of all their benefits while obeying the professional ethics norms. The legal community also experienced this problem. The author describes the impact of social networks on the professional ethics of lawyers. Delving into this topic, the author offers recommendations for lawyers in order to correct their behavior within the social networks in terms of compliance with ethical standards. The article contained analysis of some ethical conflicts arising from the use of social networks by lawyers. In addition, the author dwells upon particular cases of violations of professional ethics, such as non-compliance with the confidentiality regime, the inappropriate advertising of legal services and the implementation of unauthorized legal practices. Furthermore, the author goes into detail with some issues related to the use of social networks by lawyers during pre-trial period and trial itself. In conclusion the author provides some key provisions that lawyers should follow for the optimal adjustment of social networks and providing of qualified legal assistance.