While the First Amendment to US Constitution outlines freedom of speech, practitioners must realize that communications must adhere to certain legal restrictions. Specifically, laws are in place to ensure that human rights are not violated in the name of ensuring free speech. Practitioners must be aware of defamation, libel, and rights of privacy not only to protect against violating the laws themselves but also to make sure that others do not encroach upon their own rights and those of clients. Practitioner knowledge of the workings and declarations of governmental regulatory agencies as well as general business regulations such as copyright and trademark law are essential in protecting themselves and those they represent.

While legal considerations are established and enforced through law, ethical considerations are not as much enforced as they are encouraged as simply the proper "way to act" and determine right from wrong. These standards, which exist for social conduct at the individual and business level, ultimately influence, consciously or subconsciously, all practitioner activities. Additionally, professional organizations have delineated the standards to practitioners in hopes of achieving a uniform code of conduct in an area where values vary from person to person. Both the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators have outlined codes of ethics, which are expected to be adhered to by the groups' members who hope to remain in their good standing.