Advisory Opinion: 1762

Year Issued: 1997

RPC(s): RPC 7.1; 7.2; 7.3

Subject: Advertisement; solicitation; advertisement distributed by repair shop with estimate or bill

[The inquiry concerned] placing an ad in a folder to be distributed by an automobile repair shop. The folder would also include estimates of repair and the billings for completed automobile repair work.

The Committee was of the opinion that the Rules of Professional Conduct do not prohibit the advertisement of legal services in a brochure or folder placed in conjunction with an automobile repair bid or bill directed to a customer of a repair shop, provided that the advertisement otherwise complies with RPC 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 and that compensation to the automobile repair shop not exceed the reasonable cost of the advertisement.

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.