Jennifer Riley, Executive Director of Patients Come First PA, expressed concerns over the proliferation of lawsuit advertising in Allentown and across Pennsylvania. She said that legal billboards are filling public spaces and causing confusion among patients regarding FDA-approved medicines. Riley’s comments were made in an op-ed.
“Over the past several years, Pennsylvania has become one of the most saturated legal advertising markets in the nation,” said Riley. “In 2023 alone, law firms spent nearly $162 million on more than 1.4 million local ads across TV, radio, billboards, print, and digital outlets. From Allentown to Philadelphia, it’s impossible to drive a few miles without seeing a billboard asking, ‘Were you harmed by this product?’ or ‘Have you been injured by this drug?”
Legal advertising has been on the rise since the 1977 Supreme Court case Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, which affirmed lawyers’ First Amendment rights to advertise their services. Oversight responsibilities have since been assigned to state bar associations, resulting in inconsistent monitoring standards for legal advertisements. The American Bar Association continues to advocate for uniform national standards to ensure truthful legal communication.
According to the American Tort Reform Association, Pennsylvania is consistently ranked among the highest-spending markets for legal advertising in the United States. In 2023 alone, law firms collectively spent over $160 million on lawsuit-related commercials, digital placements, and outdoor signage. A significant portion of these advertisements focused on claims involving prescription drugs or medical devices.
In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated a nationwide crackdown on deceptive drug advertising to ensure accurate communication about medicine risks and benefits. The agency announced plans to issue warning letters to violators and implement new oversight measures for balance and accuracy in drug promotion. However, there is no equivalent federal framework governing attorney advertising, leaving a regulatory gap that impacts consumer understanding.
Riley leads Patients Come First PA, a nonprofit advocacy organization committed to ensuring Pennsylvanians have access to innovative, evidence-based healthcare. She spearheads statewide education initiatives focused on medication adherence and consumer transparency while collaborating with medical professionals to combat misinformation and promote patient safety within local communities.
