Advisory Opinion: 1993

Year Issued: 2002

RPC(s): RPC Title 7

Subject: law firm name, professional limited liability company, PLLC, LLC

The inquiring attorney is representing an attorney who has requested formation of a professional limited liability company with the represented attorney as the sole owner and attorney in the company. He noted that other law firms designate their law firms as LLCs rather than PLLCs.

The committee was of the opinion that a professional limited liability company must include one of the following terms in its name: “Professional Limited Liability Company”, “Professional Limited Liability Co.”, “P.L.L.C.”, or “PLLC”, consistent with Title 7 of the RPCs and RCW 25.15.

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.