Advisory Opinion: 1277

Year Issued: 1989

RPC(s): RPC 7.4

Subject: Communicating fields of practice; specialist; use of term "international counsel"

The Committee was of the opinion that the identification of a lawyer as "international counsel" would violate RPC 7.4 as it would imply that that lawyer was a specialist. The Committee also discussed whether the professional arrangement as outlined in your letter regarding this lawyer who was admitted only in another state would violate RPC 5.5 regarding aiding the unauthorized practice of law, but rendered no opinion on that question and suggested that this rule be called to your attention so you could review the propriety of your proposed conduct.

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.