Advisory Opinion: 1613

Year Issued: 1995

RPC(s): RPC 7.5; 8.4

Subject: Establishment of professional service corporation using lawyers' joint names when practice as sole practitioners

The Committee reviewed your inquiry regarding establishment of a professional service corporation which would operate under your joint names, but in all other respects you would practice as sole practitioners. The Committee is of the opinion that your proposed business arrangement is not an entity contemplated by RPC 7.5, and that it would be misleading and a violation of RPC 8.4 to hold yourself out as partners when you are in fact not practicing law together as partners.

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.