Advisory Opinion: 2090

Year Issued: 2005

RPC(s): RPC 7.1, 7.4, 7.5

Subject: Use of attorney`s nickname in firm name

The inquiry involves an attorney who is a sole practitioner who wishes to use her nickname as the name of the law firm. The attorney’s nickname is “XY” [name changed for confidentiality, ed.]; the name of the firm would be “XY Law Firm”. The attorney would also spell her actual name below the trade name. The attorney wishes to know if the use of her nickname would be ethically improper.

The use of an attorney’s nickname as a trade name would not be ethically improper under RPC 7.1, 7.4 or 7.5. This is conditioned on the nickname not creating confusion by the public as to the services provided or that there are other attorneys practicing in the firm when they are not.

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.