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written contact is generally permissible. The public's need to receive informationconcerning their legal rights and the availability of legal services has beenconsistently recognized as a basis for permitting direct written communicationsince this type of communication may often be the best and most effective meansof informing. So long as this stream of information flows cleanly, it will bepermitted to flow freely.[4] Certain narrowly-drawn restrictions on this type of communication arejustified by a substantial state interests such as an interest in facilitating thepublic's intelligent selection of counsel or preventing domestic violence, includingthe restrictions of sub-paragraphs (a)(3), & (4) & (5), which proscribe directmailings limit sending written communications to persons such as an injured andhospitalized accident victim or the bereaved family of a deceased.[5] In order to make it clear that the communication is commercial in nature,paragraph (b) requires inclusion of an appropriate affirmative "advertisement"disclaimer. Again, the traditional exception for contact with close friends,relatives and former clients is recognized and permits elimination of thedisclaimer in direct written contact with these persons.[6] This Rule does not prohibit communications authorized by law, such as noticeto members of a class in class action litigation.Paying Others to Recommend a Lawyer[7] A lawyer is allowed to pay for communications permitted by these Rules, butotherwise is not permitted to pay another person for channeling professionalwork. This restriction does not prevent an organization or person other than thelawyer from advertising or recommending the lawyer's services. Thus, a legal aidagency, a prepaid legal services plan or prepaid legal insurance organization maypay to advertise legal services provided under its auspices. Likewise, a lawyermay participate in lawyer referral programs and pay the usual fees charged bysuch programs, provided the programs are in compliance with the registrationrequirements of sub-paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Rule 7.3: Direct Contactwith Prospective Clients and the communications and practices of theorganization are not deceptive or misleading.[8] A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a lawyer referralservice, provided the referral service is in compliance with the registrationrequirements of subparagraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Rule 7.3. A legal serviceplan is a prepaid or group legal service plan or similar delivery system, set up incompliance with subparagraph (c)(3) of this Rule 7.3, that assists prospectiveclients to secure legal representation. A lawyer referral service, on the other hand,is any organization that holds itself out to the public as a lawyer referral service.Such referral services are understood by laypersons to be consumer-orientedorganizations that provide unbiased referrals to lawyers with appropriate84