Can a law firm use a trade name that includes its field of practice in Washington?
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This page answers the general question as of 1998. 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 inquiry concerned the trade name "All American [field of practice] Service." The committee concluded that the name does not imply specialization but rather simply states an area of law practiced by the firm.
On that basis, the committee concluded the trade name is consistent with RPC 7.5(a).
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1998, 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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 (firm names and letterheads) has since been folded into RPC 7.1 in line with later ABA revisions, so verify the current numbering before relying on it.
Common questions
Q: Can a Washington firm use a trade name that names its field of practice?
A: The committee concluded the trade name "All American [field of practice] Service" simply states an area of law the firm practices and is consistent with RPC 7.5(a).
Q: Did the committee treat the name as implying specialization?
A: No. It concluded the name does not imply specialization but rather states an area of law practiced by the firm.
Background and rules framework
The opinion applied Washington RPC 7.5(a) (firm names and letterheads), corresponding to ABA Model Rule 7.5. The committee made the propriety of the trade name turn on whether it would imply specialization, and concluded it did not, instead simply identifying an area of practice.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- ABA Model Rule 7.5 (firm names and letterheads); Washington RPC 7.5(a)
See also
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1076: Firm Names and Letterhead
- WA Ethics Op. 1005: Non-Partner in the Firm Name
- WA Ethics Op. 1837: Shared Office and Staff
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=1040
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1847
Year Issued: 1998
RPC(s): RPC 7.5(a)
Subject: Use of trade name containing field of practice
I have been instructed by the Rules of Professional Conduct Committee to respond to your ethical inquiry # 1847 concerning the trade name "All American [field of practice] Service".
It is the opinion of the committee that the trade name "All American [field of practice] Service" does not imply specialization but rather simply states an area of law practiced by the firm. In the opinion of the committee, this is consistent with RPC 7.5(a).
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