Advisory Opinion: 1980

Year Issued: 2002

RPC(s):

Subject: firm name; use of middle name instead of last name

The inquiring lawyer asks if it is ethical to use her middle name instead of her last name as part of the firm name with the intention that she will continue to use her middle name and last name when signing legal correspondence and documents.

The committee opined that use of a name in the firm moniker other than the name used in the practice of law is misleading. The inquirer is directed to Admission to Practice Rule 13(c) that specifies a procedure to accomplish a name change should the inquirer wish to do so.

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.