Opinion 1917

The inquiring lawyer asks if a web site, available to the general public, of an organization composed of lawyers and nonlawyers that posts its membership specifically identifying those who are lawyers violates RPC 7.

The committee stated that the web site listing of membership that identifies the lawyers is advertising generally permitted by the Rules of Professional Conduct. The requirements of truthfulness and retention of hard copies of the listing fall on each lawyer. Lawyers are reminded that there must be no indication that professional independence is sacrificed, no fee sharing arrangements may be entered with nonlawyers, or partnerships formed with nonlawyers, all of which are prohibited by RPC 5.4. Lawyers must be watchful of the provisions of RPC 7.4 and assure that no implication that any lawyer is a specialist is allowed to be published on the site. Finally, articles must not try on-going cases online or in the press. The inquirer is referred to Formal Opinions 22 and 113.

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.