Legal Disciplinary Actions Against Savannah Lawyer Over Ads

News Summary

Michael Hostilo, a prominent Savannah lawyer, faces severe consequences from the South Carolina Supreme Court for misleading advertising practices. Following scrutiny from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Hostilo received a public reprimand and a $1,000 fine, admitting to violating professional conduct rules. Despite his successful legal firm, the court’s decision emphasizes the need for ethical advertising standards in the legal community. Hostilo is now under court supervision to prevent future violations, reinforcing the importance of compliance among legal professionals.

Legal Turmoil for Notorious Savannah Lawyer over Misleading Ads

In a stunning turn of events, Michael Hostilo, a highly recognized personal injury lawyer based in Savannah, has been reprimanded by the South Carolina Supreme Court for what can only be described as misleading advertising tactics. Known for his flamboyant advertisements that air across multiple media channels, Hostilo has found himself in hot water after facing scrutiny from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC).

Consequences of Misleading Promotions

The South Carolina Supreme Court has issued a public reprimand against Hostilo and ordered him to cough up a $1,000 fine along with the costs associated with the investigation. In a rather swift acceptance of responsibility, Hostilo voluntarily entered a discipline agreement with the ODC and admitted to violating the established Rules of Professional Conduct.

Unlike many states, legal discipline in South Carolina is governed by the Supreme Court and the ODC, rather than the state’s bar association. This structure highlights the serious nature of Hostilo’s situation, indicating that the court is taking a hard stance against unscrupulous advertising among legal practitioners.

Hostilo’s Legal Landscape

Though Hostilo is primarily licensed to practice law in Georgia, he employs a staff of attorneys who are duly licensed in South Carolina, with offices in Beaufort, Charleston, and Columbia. However, as part of the reprimand, he is now under supervision from the South Carolina Supreme Court for any future violations of professional conduct rules.

Flashy Ads Turned Controversial

Hostilo is the mastermind behind The Mike Hostilo Law Firm, a company that boasts an impressive presence with 13 offices across Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. He has gained notoriety for his extravagant advertisements, which have even made appearances during major televised sporting events such as the NCAA title game.

Among his advertisement stunts is a YouTube clip featuring Hostilo in a cape and mask, who promotes car accident injury claims. However, this attention-grabbing approach now faces backlash for potentially misleading viewers. The Supreme Court identified several specific ads that raised red flags, including a billboard that showed Hostilo surrounded by dollar signs, implying results that may not be attainable.

Misrepresentation and Negligence Uncovered

The investigation into Hostilo’s advertising methods revealed multiple instances of misrepresentation on his firm’s website. For starters, it claimed that an attorney who hadn’t been affiliated with the firm for more than two years was still handling South Carolina cases. Furthermore, the firm inaccurately touted having been “proudly serving” the state for nearly 30 years when they had only established operations there in 2018.

Even the critical aspect of the law regarding the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims was misrepresented on the website, adding to an alarming pattern of negligence. Individual attorney profiles also featured misleading statements concerning jurisdictions where the attorneys were not even licensed to practice.

Hostilo Takes Steps Forward but Remains Underwatch

In his defense, Hostilo attributed the misleading content to standard templates being used without proper updates. However, the court deemed this explanation insufficient. Following the findings, Hostilo agreed to enter a consent agreement for discipline, receiving a public reprimand as part of the resolution process.

In an effort to show his commitment to rectifying these issues, Hostilo recently completed the Legal Ethics and Practice Program Advertising School, which is part of the ongoing disciplinary requirements laid out for him. Nevertheless, claims made in ads stating that “Mike Hostilo’s team fights like no other law firm for our accident victims” were flagged as unsubstantiated and likely to foster unrealistic expectations among potential clients.

The fallout from Hostilo’s misguided advertising practices serves as a stark reminder to all legal professionals about the importance of adhering to ethical marketing guidelines. Continued scrutiny and disciplinary oversight will ensure that misleading legal advertisements are held to account, fostering a more trustworthy legal landscape for all.

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Additional Resources

• WAND TV
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• WJCL
• Mike Hostilo Law Firm Facebook
• Google Search: Michael Hostilo Savannah lawyer