Advisory Opinion: 907

Year Issued: 1985

RPC(s): DR 1-102

Subject: Listing nonlawyers on office signs, letterhead

A law firm wished to place the names and titles of a Rule 9 intern and officer manager on the firm's office sign. The Committee noted that under DR 1-102 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, a lawyer is prohibited from listing non lawyers on office signs. The Committee has previously noted that many of the restrictions in that rule are of questionable constitutionality, and further notes that there is no such prohibition under the Rules of Professional Conduct, which become effective on September 1, 1985. Therefore, the Committee concluded that under RPCs, assuming that the listing of non-attorneys was neither false nor misleading, there would be nothing improper in doing 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.