Advisory Opinion: 1454

Year Issued: 1992

RPC(s): Formal Opinion 178

Subject: Use of "of counsel"

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning the use of the term "of counsel" to describe the particular circumstances of your part-time practice with a law firm. [The lawyer was also a state legislator and adjunct law professor, and was compensated by the law firm on an hourly basis with prorated vacation and sick leave benefits.] The Committee was of the opinion that, pursuant to Formal Opinion 178, "of counsel" would be an appropriate term to describe your relationship with the law firm.

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.