Can a Florida lawyer put 'J.D.' after their name on letterhead and business cards?

Plain-English summary

The inquirer asked whether, under DR 2-102(F), the practice of using the initials of a law degree, "J.D.," was acceptable in Florida on letterheads and professional cards. The committee answered that, as it had expressed in Florida Opinions 70-53 and 71-27 (both since withdrawn), the use of the initials of a law degree had been approved.

The committee added a note of its own sentiment: that it is in bad taste for members of the legal profession to vie with each other over the letters they can put after their names.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1971, before The Florida Bar's adoption of the 2006 revisions to the Rules of Professional Conduct. It applied the former Code of Professional Responsibility (DR 2-102(F)); lawyer advertising and letterhead rules are now in Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 4-7.11 through 4-7.22. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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: May a Florida lawyer use "J.D." on letterhead and cards?

A: Under this opinion, yes. The committee approved the use of the initials of a law degree on letterheads and professional cards, consistent with its earlier (since withdrawn) opinions 70-53 and 71-27.

Q: Did the committee express any reservation?

A: Yes. The committee stated its sentiment that it is in bad taste for lawyers to vie with each other over the letters they place after their names, while still concluding the practice was permissible.

Background and rules framework

The opinion applied DR 2-102(F) of the former Code, which addressed the content of letterheads and professional cards. In current Florida practice, the regulation of letterheads and lawyer communications is in Rules 4-7.11 through 4-7.22, with firm names and letterheads addressed in Rule 4-7.21. The Model Rule analogues are Rules 7.1 and 7.5.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• DR 2-102(F) [Code of Professional Responsibility; subject matter now in Rules 4-7.11 through 4-7.22]

Other opinions cited:

• Florida Opinions 70-53 and 71-27 (both since withdrawn)

See also

• FL Bar Ethics Op. 71-39: Investigator's Business Card
• FL Bar Ethics Op. 71-49: Withdrawing Partner, Of Counsel
• FL Bar Ethics Op. 71-66: A Lay Company's Name on the Window

Source

• Landing page: https://www.floridabar.org/etopinions/etopinion-71-28/
• Original PDF: https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2017/04/FL-Bar-Ethics-Op-71-28-2.pdf

Original opinion text

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

FLORIDA BAR ETHICS OPINION
OPINION 71-28
June 21, 1971
Advisory ethics opinions are not binding.
An attorney may use the initials "J.D." on letterhead and professional cards.
Note: Lawyer advertising rules are now in Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 4-7.11 through 4-7.22.
CPR: DR 2-102(F)
Opinions: 70-53, 71-27
Chairman Massey stated the opinion of the committee:
The inquirer asks if under DR 2-102(F) the practice of using the initials of a degree, to-wit, J.D., is now acceptable in Florida on letterheads and professional cards. As heretofore expressed in Florida Opinions 70-53 [since withdrawn] and 71-27 [since withdrawn], the use of the initials of a law degree has been approved.
The Committee's sentiment on this issue, however, militates a statement that it is in bad taste for members of the legal profession to vie with each other on the letters that they can put after their names.