WSBA 1992

Can a person use the business-card title 'Japanese Legal Consultant' in Washington?

Short answer: The committee concluded that, after the adoption of Admission to Practice Rule 14 on foreign law consultants, using 'Japanese Legal Consultant' would be misleading because it implies the person complied with APR 14 and holds a limited license to practice law in Washington.

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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.

Disclaimer: Advisory only. Not binding precedent.

About this page: The plain-English summary, reader guidance, and Q&A below were written by Ezel based on the official ethics opinion. The original opinion (linked on this page) is the authoritative source for any reliance.

Plain-English summary

A person asked about using the title "Japanese Legal Consultant" on a business card. The committee was of the opinion that, in light of the recently adopted Admission to Practice Rule 14 regarding foreign law consultants, use of the term "Japanese Legal Consultant" would be misleading, because it would imply that the person had complied with APR 14 and had a limited license to practice law in Washington.

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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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: Can someone use "Japanese Legal Consultant" on a business card in Washington?

A: The committee was of the opinion that the title would be misleading, because it implies compliance with APR 14 and a limited license to practice law in Washington.

Q: Why did Admission to Practice Rule 14 matter to the answer?

A: Because APR 14 governs foreign law consultants, the committee read "Japanese Legal Consultant" as implying the person had qualified under that rule and held the limited license it provides.

Background and rules framework

The opinion applied RPC 7.1 (false or misleading communications) and RPC 7.5 (firm names and professional designations), corresponding to ABA Model Rules 7.1 and 7.5, together with Washington Admission to Practice Rule 14 on foreign law consultants. The committee treated the unqualified title as conveying a regulated status (an APR 14 limited license) that the person had not shown they held, making the designation misleading.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

ABA Model Rule 7.1 (false or misleading communications); Washington RPC 7.1
ABA Model Rule 7.5 (firm names and designations); Washington RPC 7.5

Court rules:

Washington Admission to Practice Rule 14 (foreign law consultants)

Source

Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=573

Original opinion text

Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.

Advisory Opinion: 1493
Year Issued: 1992
RPC(s): RPC 7.1; 7.5; APR 14
Subject: Use of title "Japanese Legal Consultant"

The Committee reviewed your inquiry regarding the use of the title "Japanese Legal Consultant" on a business card. The Committee was of the opinion that in light of the recently adopted Admission to Practice Rule 14 regarding foreign law consultants, that the use of the term "Japanese Legal Consultant" would be misleading as it would imply that this person had complied with APR 14 and had a limited license to practice law in Washington.

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