Advisory Opinion: 1672

Year Issued: 1996

RPC(s): RPC 7.1

Subject: Advertising; use of cumulative number of years of practice of law partners

The Committee discussed your inquiry regarding whether the Rules of Professional Conduct allow you to claim in your advertisement that your firm has been representing the rights of individuals/clients/injured parties for twenty-nine years, which is the cumulative number of years of practice between you and your law partner. It was the Committee's opinion that this language would violate RPC 7.1, as it would be materially misleading by omission because the language implies a degree of longevity/experience greater than actually exists. However, it does not necessarily follow from this conclusion that the only permissible way to communicate a firm's experience is by specifying the number of years each attorney has been in practice.

Advisory Opinions are provided for the education of the Bar and reflect the opinion of the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) or its predecessors. Advisory Opinions are provided pursuant to the authorization granted by the Board of Governors, but are not individually approved by the Board and do not reflect the official position of the Bar association. Laws other than the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct may apply to the inquiry. The Committee's answer does not include or opine about any other applicable law other than the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct.