
Yes, this coupon is real. "P'Ta Mon" John markets himself as a "thugs' lawyer" in Baton Rouge, LA
A handful of state bars have addressed the issue of attorney group coupon advertising and split. Most states that have addressed the issue, however, currently either allow or cautiously acknowledge such ads. For example, Oregon acknowledged sites like Living Social, ideeli and Woot as “powerful lawyer marketing tools,” but advised attorneys to proceed with caution, as with traditional forms of advertising. 71-MAY Or. St. B. Bull. 9 (2011). North Carolina and South Carolina bar associations have issued ethics opinions along the same lines.

arguments have been raised elsewhere as well.
“Fee splitting with non-lawyers” argument may sound like it has some merit but should be ultimately rejected because there is no interference with the lawyer's independent professional judgment. Groupon’s commission is 50%. Such large percentage of the deal does, in fact, appear more like fee splitting rather than a simple ad price. However, the rule prohibiting fee splitting is in place to prevent non-lawyers from influencing the lawyer’s independent professional judgment. There is no danger of that with Groupon because the advertising company cannot care less how a lawyer structures the advertised deal. Conflict of interest, lack of direct client communication, excessive fee potential, premature attorney-client relationship formation, cheapening of the legal profession are not inherent in group coupon advertising and can be seen in many other permissible forms of legal advertising, such as Yellow Pages, as well as print and TV ads shown in this article.
Meanwhile, times are tough as nails, so many new and experienced attorneys simply cannot afford the high horse in this economy. Therefore, California should adopt the emerging majority rule and allow group coupon lawyer advertising.