Advisory Opinion: 1553

Year Issued: 1993

RPC(s): RPC 7.5(d)

Subject: Calling co-shareholder "partner"

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning reference to the co-owner of your professional service corporation as "my partner" even though you are more properly co-shareholders or co-directors. The Committee was of the opinion that RPC 7.5(d) treats partners and corporate shareholders as the same, and therefore, there is no violation of the rule to refer to your co-shareholder as "my partner".

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.