Can a professional limited liability company call itself a 'firm' or a 'company' in its name?

Plain-English summary

The committee reviewed the use of "firm" or "company" in the name of a professional limited liability company. It decided that a professional limited liability company must not refer to itself as either a "firm" or a "company," but must refer to itself as either a "professional limited liability company" or a "P.L.L.C."

The committee added that, to comply with RPC 7.5(d), the name must say "P.L.L.C., which consists of individuals and professional service corporations" if that is the nature of the organization.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1996, 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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. Washington's RPC 7.5 corresponds to ABA Model Rule 7.5 (firm names and letterheads).

Common questions

Q: Can a P.L.L.C. call itself a "firm" or "company"?

A: The committee decided it must not, and must instead refer to itself as a "professional limited liability company" or "P.L.L.C."

Q: Does the name have to disclose the organization's makeup?

A: The committee said that, to comply with RPC 7.5(d), the name must say "P.L.L.C., which consists of individuals and professional service corporations" if that is the nature of the organization.

Background and rules framework

The opinion applied RPC 7.5(d) (firm names and letterheads, corresponding to ABA Model Rule 7.5). The committee read the rule to require that a professional limited liability company identify itself by that designation rather than as a generic "firm" or "company," and to disclose its composition where it consists of individuals and professional service corporations.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• ABA Model Rule 7.5 (firm names and letterheads); Washington RPC 7.5(d)

See also

• WA Ethics Op. 1656: Naming a Firm "____ & Company"
• WA Ethics Op. 1622: Calling a Non-Owner Lawyer a "Principal"

Source

• Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=739

Original opinion text

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

Advisory Opinion: 1657
Year Issued: 1996
RPC(s): RPC 7.5(d)
Subject: Use of 'firm' or 'company' in name of professional limited liability company

The Committee reviewed issues regarding the use of "firm" or "company" in the name of a professional limited liability company. The Committee decided that a professional limited liability company must not refer to itself as either a "firm" or a "company" but must refer to itself as either a "professional limited liability company" or a "P.L.L.C.". Further, to comply with RPC 7.5(d), the name must say "P.L.L.C., which consists of individuals and professional service corporations" if that is the nature of its organization.