Rhode Island Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Panel Ethics Opinions
Free plain-English summaries of legal ethics opinions issued by the Rhode Island Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Panel, with full citations and source links on every page.
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I want to mail prospective clients a letter about bankruptcy and debt collection. How must I label it and what disclaimer does it need?
The panel concluded that under Rule 7.3(b)(1)(a) the letter must be plainly marked 'advertisement' on the envelope and at the top of each page in type one size larger than the largest type used, that …
I want to mail people who might qualify for the Victims' Compensation Fund. Is that allowed, and what do I have to tell them about fees and costs?
The panel concluded that such a mailing is permissible under Shapero v. Kentucky Bar Association as long as the letter is truthful and not deceptive, and that the letter should clearly state the clien…
I wrote a divorce booklet and want to advertise it. Does the ad need the Rhode Island specialization disclaimer?
The panel concluded that the advertisement for the booklet should include the Rule 7.4 disclaimer that Rhode Island does not have a procedure for certification or recognition of specialization by lawy…
A town invited me to teach a course. Can I run a newspaper ad with my name and the course details, and what disclaimers do I need?
The panel concluded that it would not be improper under Rule 7.2 for the attorney to advertise the course in a newspaper of general circulation, provided the advertisement contains no false or mislead…
Can I list my paralegal's name on the firm letterhead, the building directory, and a newspaper ad alongside the attorneys, and can the paralegal use a business card and desk plate?
The panel concluded that a non-attorney's name may not appear among the attorneys on the firm's stationery, in the building directory listing the firm's lawyers, or in a newspaper advertisement listin…
My firm's new associate is admitted in another state and will take the Rhode Island bar exam soon. Until he passes, can his business cards, letters on firm stationery, and a hiring announcement omit that he is not yet admitted in Rhode Island?
No. The panel held that omitting the associate's non-admission from business cards would violate Rules 7.1(a) and 7.5(a), and that signing firm correspondence or publishing a newspaper hiring announce…
I'm a sole practitioner who is also opening a temporary-lawyer placement agency with a non-lawyer. Is explaining an ABA opinion to other lawyers the practice of law, can I say I'm a Rhode Island lawyer in the agency's ads, and can the agency waive its placement fee when I take an assignment myself?
The panel held that explaining ABA Formal Op. 88-356 to another attorney is not the practice of law and the non-lawyer principal may relay the same information, that the attorney may indicate she is a…
I want to run a newspaper ad headed 'Divorce' that asks whether readers know their legal rights and lists my name, address, phone, and fees. Does it comply with the Rhode Island advertising rules?
Partly. The panel held the ad complies with Rule 7.1 (not false or misleading) and Rule 7.2 (permissible newspaper advertising naming the responsible lawyer), but must add Rule 7.4's disclaimer that R…
Rhode Island has an old criminal statute barring lawyers from advertising divorce or alimony services. If I run a newspaper ad listing 'divorce, support, domestic relations' as a practice area, am I violating the ethics rules?
Yes, technically. The panel held that because R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-27-20 imposes a criminal penalty on a lawyer who advertises divorce or alimony services, running such an ad is a criminal act, and und…
My newspaper ad has graphics, says my office is 'equipped to handle' certain types of cases, gives my name and contact info, and doesn't compare me to other lawyers. Does it comply with the advertising rules?
Mostly. The panel found the advertisement complies with Rule 7.1 (not false or misleading) and Rule 7.2 (permissible newspaper advertising with the attorney's name included), but held that to clearly …
I want to mail unknown business owners a letter saying my firm 'emphasizes collections and bankruptcies' and 'knows the area inside and out,' with 'Advertisement' marked in the same type size as the body. Does this comply with Rules 7.3 and 7.4?
Almost. The panel found the letter proper under the Rules of Professional Conduct except that the word 'Advertisement' must be printed in type one size larger than the largest type used in the letter …
I want to mail a letter advertising my legal services to homeowners 65 and older whom I don't know. It's marked 'Advertisement' and offers a free consultation. Does this comply with Rule 7.3?
Mostly yes, with one fix. The panel found the letter proper under the Rules of Professional Conduct except that the word 'Advertisement' at the top of the letter and on the envelope must be printed in…
I want to run a newspaper ad in the 'Homes for Sale' section labeling myself 'Real Estate Attorney' along with my name and contact information. Do I need to say anything else to comply with Rule 7.4?
The panel found the label 'Real Estate Attorney' falls in a gray area that could mislead a potential client into thinking Rhode Island recognizes a real estate specialty, so to be protected by the pan…
Can I send bar members and the Rhode Island Lawyer's Weekly an announcement about my Superior Court arbitration credentials, describing myself as 'Practicing only as Neutral'?
Mostly yes. The panel approved the announcement to fellow attorneys under Rules 7.1 and 7.4, since it properly disclosed that Rhode Island has no specialization-certification procedure, but it decline…
I want to attend a social gathering of local businesspeople to make contacts who might later become clients for my corporate practice. Is that improper solicitation?
No. The panel held the attorney may properly attend any meeting he wishes, because the Rules of Professional Conduct do not limit a lawyer's social and civic opportunities or prohibit a truthful state…
Can I advertise that I handle divorce, annulment, or alimony cases in Rhode Island?
Not without risk of a rule violation, according to this opinion: R.I.G.L. Section 11-27-20, a 1905 statute, makes it a crime for a lawyer to advertise services regarding a suit for alimony, divorce, o…
Can my firm mail a newsletter to companies or individuals who aren't current clients?
No, at the time of this opinion. The panel held that mailing a newsletter to non-clients was direct contact recommending the firm's employment under DR 2-103(A), and that the newsletter did not fall w…
Can I send letters offering my services directly to people who were injured in an accident, or to people connected to someone who was injured?
No, at the time of this opinion. The panel held that the proposed letters would violate DR 2-103(A)'s bar on recommending one's own employment to a layperson who has not sought advice about hiring a l…
I want to set up a neutral arbitration and mediation practice and advertise that my practice is 'limited to' that work. Is that brochure language proper, and can I identify myself as an attorney?
Yes, at the time of the opinion. The panel found no violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility in limiting a practice to neutral dispute resolution, and approved identifying oneself as an at…
I represent clients with claims that might become a federal class action. Can I run an advertisement asking others with similar experiences to come forward?
Yes. The panel held the advertisement was proper under Code of Professional Responsibility DR 2-104(5), which permits contacting potential class members to obtain evidence and information in connectio…
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Legal ethics opinions from the Rhode Island Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Panel interpret the rules of professional conduct for working lawyers, in response to inquiries from members and committees. They are not binding like court discipline decisions, but courts and discipline boards treat formal opinions as substantial guidance on how the rules apply. Every opinion above has a plain-English question and short answer, plus a link to the original source on the bar's site.