Can a Washington lawyer publish a newspaper column that provides general legal information to the public?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 1992. 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
A lawyer asked about publishing a newspaper advertisement that would provide "general legal information," include a disclaimer, and encourage readers to contact their own lawyer. The committee was of the opinion that publishing such a general-information advertising column is permissible, provided it otherwise complies with the relevant portions of Title 7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The lawyer also enclosed an example column from an Oregon newspaper. The committee did not consider that example appropriate because it would not comply with Washington's Rules of Professional Conduct.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1992, before the Washington State Bar Association's adoption of the 2006 revisions to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Subsequent rule amendments or later opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against current rules before relying on any specific rule, deadline, or requirement mentioned here.
Common questions
Q: Could a Washington lawyer run a newspaper column giving general legal information?
A: The committee concluded such a column was permissible so long as it complied with the relevant portions of Title 7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Q: Did the committee approve the specific Oregon column the lawyer submitted?
A: No. The committee did not consider the enclosed Oregon newspaper example appropriate because it would not comply with Washington's Rules of Professional Conduct.
Background and rules framework
The opinion addressed lawyer advertising and the communication of legal information to the public, governed by Title 7 of the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct (corresponding generally to ABA Model Rule 7.1 on communications concerning a lawyer's services and the related advertising rules). The committee framed the answer as conditional compliance: the format (a general-information column) was acceptable, but the content had to satisfy Title 7's requirements.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- ABA Model Rule 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services) and the related advertising provisions
- Washington RPC Title 7 (communications and advertising, as numbered before the 2006 revisions)
See also
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=536
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1456
Year Issued: 1992
RPC(s): RPC 7.1
Subject: Advertisement providing general legal information
The Committee reviewed your inquiry regarding a newspaper advertisement which would provide "general legal information", and which would include a disclaimer and encourage persons to contact their personal lawyer. The Committee was of the opinion that it is permissible to publish such a general information advertisement column provided that it otherwise complies with relevant portions of Title 7 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The committee also reviewed the enclosure that your provided from an Oregon newspaper and did not consider that it would be appropriate because it would not comply with Washington's Rules of Professional Conduct.
Get today's answer for your situation
You just read a 1992 opinion on this question. Ezel checks the current rules of professional conduct in your state and answers your specific situation, with citations.
Opens in Ezel Pro. Every answer cites the rules it relies on.