Advisory Opinion: 913

Year Issued: 1985

RPC(s): RPC 7.5 (d)

Subject: Signage and letterhead of lawyers sharing office space

The Committee was of the opinion that your proposed change in your door sign, listing the names of the lawyers sharing office space in a vertical list, with lines between each name, would be permissible. However, the Committee was of the opinion that that format on a letterhead would violate RPC 7.5 (d) because it would continue to imply that the lawyers were partners and thus would constitute a misrepresentation. The Committee was of the opinion that if the lawyers were acting as sole practitioners, they should have individual letterhead.

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.