Can a lawyer who is also an ordained minister display an ordination certificate in the law office?

Plain-English summary

A Florida Bar member who had been ordained as a minister before his admission to the Bar, and who continued to work from time to time with local congregations of his denomination on a voluntary, uncompensated basis, asked whether he could display his ordination certificate on his office wall along with other certificates.

Addressing only that question, the committee concluded there was no violation of the canons, including Canon 27 on advertising and solicitation, from the mere display of such a certificate among other certificates or awards. It cautioned that the inquirer should take care to preclude the use of his services to his denomination as a means of promoting his status as an attorney, and expressed confidence, from the straightforward manner of the inquiry, that no such hazard was presented.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1969, before The Florida Bar's adoption of the 2006 revisions to the Rules of Professional Conduct. It applied the former Canon 27 on advertising and solicitation. Communications about a lawyer's services are now addressed by the advertising rules, including Rule 4-7.11. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against the current rules before relying on any specific requirement mentioned here.

Common questions

Q: Can a lawyer display non-law certificates, like an ordination, in the office?

A: Under this opinion, yes. The committee found no violation in displaying an ordination certificate among other certificates or awards.

Q: Was there any caution attached?

A: Yes. The committee cautioned the lawyer not to use his ministry services as a means of promoting his status as an attorney.

Background and rules framework

The opinion applied the former Canon 27 on advertising and solicitation. Communications and advertising about a lawyer's services are now addressed by the advertising provisions of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, including Rule 4-7.11. The Model Rule analogue is Rule 7.1.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• Canon 27 [Code of Professional Responsibility; advertising now in Rule 4-7.11]

See also

No sibling opinions yet indexed.

Source

• Landing page: https://www.floridabar.org/etopinions/etopinion-69-38/
• Original PDF: https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2017/04/FL-Bar-Ethics-Op-69-38-1.pdf

Original opinion text

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

FLORIDA BAR ETHICS OPINION
OPINION 69-38
November 10, 1969
Advisory ethics opinions are not binding.
A member of The Florida Bar who is an ordained minister, may display an ordination certificate on his office wall.
Canon: 27
Chairman MacDonald stated the opinion of the committee:
A member of The Florida Bar, ordained as a minister of his denomination prior to his admission to the Bar, advises that he continues to work from time to time with various local congregations of his denomination on a voluntary, noncompensated basis. He inquires whether he accordingly may display upon his office wall an ordination certificate representing his qualification for this ministry, the same to be displayed along with other certificates.
Addressing ourselves to the sole question presented, we conclude that there is no violation of the Canons, including in particular Canon 27 precluding advertising and solicitation, resulting from the mere display of such a certificate among other certificates or awards of merit or honor. Obviously, care should be taken by the inquirer to preclude the use of his services to his denomination as a means of promoting his status as an attorney. From the straightforward manner in which the inquirer presents the subject we are confident that no such hazard is here presented.