Advisory Opinion: 1144

Year Issued: 1987

RPC(s): RPC 7.1; 7.5

Subject: Firm names; use of former partner's name

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning the continued use of a former partner's name who intended to leave your law firm and establish his own practice. The Committee was of the opinion that your law firm could not continue to use the name of the former partner because use of a name of a lawyer no longer associated with your firm but otherwise in the practice of law would be misleading or deceptive and in violation of RPC 7.1 and would not fall within the permissible exceptions allowed by RPC 7.5. It was further the opinion of the Committee that nothing in the Professional Service Corporation Act would permit a different analysis.

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.