Can a law firm put a lawyer-association's logo on its letterhead?
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This page answers the general question as of 1988. Ezel answers yours: whether it's allowed on your facts, under the current rules of professional conduct in your state, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The committee was of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit the lawyer from displaying on the law firm letterhead the logo of a lawyer association, provided that neither its use nor the representations made by it, as set out in the brochure submitted with the inquiry, constitute misleading or deceptive conduct.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1988, before the 2006 revisions to the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. The rules then numbered RPC 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services) and RPC 7.5 (firm names and letterheads) correspond to Model Rules 7.1 and 7.5 and have since been amended. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against current rules before relying on any specific rule or requirement mentioned here.
Common questions
Q: Can a firm display a lawyer-association logo on its letterhead?
A: Per the opinion, yes. The committee was of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit it, provided the use and representations are not misleading or deceptive.
Q: What is the condition on using the logo?
A: The committee conditioned its conclusion on neither the logo's use nor the representations made by it constituting misleading or deceptive conduct.
Background and rules framework
The opinion applies the rules then numbered Washington RPC 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services) and RPC 7.5 (firm names and letterheads), corresponding to Model Rules 7.1 and 7.5. The committee made the outcome turn on whether the logo and the claims associated with it are misleading or deceptive, finding the display otherwise permissible.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- Washington RPC 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services), corresponding to Model Rule 7.1.
- Washington RPC 7.5 (firm names and letterheads), corresponding to Model Rule 7.5.
See also
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1151: putting "Ph.D." on letterhead, business cards, and ads
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1183: including a non-partner's name in a firm name
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1175: using "Courthouse" in a firm address or building name
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=295
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1215
Year Issued: 1988
RPC(s): RPC 7.1; 7.5
Subject: Letterhead; inclusion of lawyer association logo
The Committee was of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit you from displaying on your law firm letterhead the logo of [lawyer association] provided that neither its use nor the representations made by it as set out in the brochure submitted with your inquiry constitute misleading or deceptive conduct.
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