Opinion 935

(1987) The Rules of Professional Conduct Committee recently had occasion to review a similar inquiry as yours which was previously considered by the Committee. At the time of responding to your inquiry, the Committee indicated that for a Washington lawyer to participate in a lawyer referral service such as that offered by ****** the lawyer would have to ensure that the person screening the calls and referring the names of lawyers to the consumer would have to be a lawyer. Upon reconsideration, the Committee has determined that the screening of such calls and the referral of the names of lawyers would not constitute the practice of law, and therefore the rules would not require that a lawyer perform that function in order to prevent any participating Washington lawyer from aiding the unauthorized practice of law. Because of this change in the Committee's opinion, the Committee directed that I advise you.

(1986) After reviewing the additional information provided by ********, the Committee was of the opinion that the proposed advertising program would not violate any of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The Committee wished me to make it clear that the Committee is not in any way endorsing this advertising program nor approving any specific advertisements which may be used by *****. Neither can the Committee make any decision which is in any way a disciplinary decision which will be binding upon the Disciplinary Board should this matter ever become before them in the future.

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.