Billboards urging consumers to visit ISBA's new public site on the Internet began appearing in May (see image above). Outdoor boards positioned on the I-55/64/70 approach to St. Louis are the first of several planned around the state.

The message serves the dual purposes of improving the image of the legal profession, and directing consumers to useful legal information and referral to a lawyer when needed.

The advertised site, www.isbalawyers.com, leads to public information pamphlets and other material for the public, as well as to the Illinois Lawyer Finder service and the referral services of other bar associations.

The ad campaign aims to build respect for the profession by reminding the public that one of the best known lawyers in our nation's history, Abraham Lincoln, practiced law on the prairies of central Illinois before leading the nation through its most difficult trial.

Beginning April 25, a 12-page newspaper insert titled Legal Health Checkup 2007 began appearing in newspapers across the state. More than 1.3 million subscribers received the insert in the first round, and additional placements are planned later in the year.

The insert contains useful consumer information and directs readers to the ISBA Web site for further information.

The Legal Health Checkup may be viewed online at isbalawyers.com.