Advisory Opinion: 1515

Year Issued: 1993

RPC(s): RPC 7.5

Subject: Partnership with out-of-state lawyer; letterhead fails to indicate jurisdictional limitation

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning the partnership you have opened in Seattle with a Washington lawyer in which you work on cases from your San Diego office. The Committee was of the opinion that your partnership with the Washington lawyer would not necessarily violate anything in the Rules of Professional Conduct, but, based on the facts presented, it is not clear whether you would be practicing law in Washington. In any case, what constitutes the practice of law is a legal question on which the Rules of Professional Conduct Committee may not render an opinion.

The Committee did note, however, that your letterhead as currently used would violate RPC 7.5(d) because it does not indicate the jurisdictional limitation which prevents you from practicing law in Washington.

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.