Ezel / Ethics Opinions / MOLEC

Could a Missouri firm use “Group” in its name if it eventually had only one lawyer?

Short answer The opinion permitted “The X Group, L.C.” for a principal and associate or two principals, but barred use of “group” if the firm consisted of one lawyer.
Bar
MOLEC
Issued
2000

Apply this to your situation

This page answers the general question as of 2000. Ask about yours and see what the current Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct say for your facts, with citations.

How much weight this carries: Under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.30, formal opinions are binding; informal opinions are advisory. Source.
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 new lawyer-owned LLC expected a principal and associate and asked whether it could call itself “The X Group” or “The X Law Group,” including if staffing changed.

The opinion permitted “The X Group, L.C.” with a principal and associate or two principals. It said “group” was impermissible for a firm consisting of only one attorney.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 2000, before Missouri’s 2007 revisions to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Later amendments or opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context and verify current rules before relying on it. The official Rule 4-1.9 and 4-1.10 reference notes identify July 1, 2007 amendments.

Common questions

Q: Could a principal and associate use the stated group name?

A: Yes. The opinion expressly permitted “The X Group, L.C.” for that structure.

Q: Could the firm retain “group” with only one attorney?

A: No. The opinion expressly barred that use.

Background and rules framework

The published answer addressed the firm name and staffing facts without citing a numbered rule.

See also

Source

Original opinion text

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

QUESTION: Attorney is forming a new law firm. It will initially consist of at least one principal, X, and one associate. It will be an LLC, consisting only of attorneys. Can the name of the law firm be The X Group or The X Law Group. Is there any problem if eventually there was only one attorney in the firm? Is there any problem if the associate eventually becomes a partner?

ANSWER: It would be permissible for a law firm consisting of a principal and associate or two principals to be known as The X Group, L.C. It would not be permissible to use the word ‘group,’ if the firm consists of only one attorney.

What do the rules say today, for your facts?

This opinion is from 2000. Ezel checks the current Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct against your situation and cites the rules it relies on.

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