Can a solo attorney call the firm 'The X Law Group' if the firm has associate attorneys?

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 2006, before Ohio's adoption of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct (effective February 1, 2007). The Board flagged it as a "CPR Opinion" because it interprets the former Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility, since superseded. Firm names and letterhead are now addressed by Ohio Prof. Cond. R. 7.5, with the misleading-communication standard in R. 7.1. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against current rules before relying on any specific rule or requirement mentioned here.

Plain-English summary

The Board addressed whether a solo practitioner may use the words "Group" or "Law Group" in a firm name. It concluded that it is proper for a solo practitioner to name the firm "The X Law Group" when "X" is the solo practitioner's surname and the firm employs one or more attorneys as associates. In that situation, "Group" and "Law Group" are not considered misleading or a trade name, because the firm is in fact comprised of more than one attorney.

The Board set a limit on what may be counted toward the "Group." The words "Group" or "Law Group" should not be used in a firm name to refer to paralegals, other non-attorney personnel, office-sharing attorneys, or "of counsel" attorneys. The designation reflects the firm's employed attorneys, not staff or affiliated lawyers who are not part of the firm.

Common questions

Q: Can a solo lawyer with two associates call the firm 'The Smith Law Group'?

A: Yes. The opinion concluded a solo practitioner may use "The X Law Group" where X is the surname and the firm employs one or more associate attorneys.

Q: Can the 'Group' label count paralegals or office-sharing lawyers?

A: No. Per the opinion, "Group" or "Law Group" should not be used to refer to paralegals, other non-attorney personnel, office-sharing attorneys, or "of counsel" attorneys.

Background and rules framework

The opinion interprets former Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility DR 2-102, governing firm names and letterheads and barring misleading or trade-name designations. The current analogues are Ohio Prof. Cond. R. 7.5 (firm names and letterheads) and 7.1 (communications about services) (Model Rules 7.5, 7.1).

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• Former Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility DR 2-102
• Current analogues: Ohio Prof. Cond. R. 7.5, 7.1 (Model Rules 7.5, 7.1)

See also

• Ohio BPC Op. 1991-004: Trade Name, Multistate Firm, Direct Mail, and Fee Division
• Ohio BPC Op. 1991-018: Firm Name, Letterhead, and 'Of Counsel' for Retired Attorneys
• Ohio BPC Op. 2004-011: Of Counsel Relationships Between Ohio and Out-of-State Lawyers

Source

• Landing page: https://ohioadvop.org/advisory-opinion-index/
• Original PDF: https://www.ohioadvop.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Op-06-002.pdf

Original opinion text

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

The Supreme Court of Ohio
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON GRIEVANCES AND DISCIPLINE 65 SOUTH FRONT STREET, 5TH FLOOR, COLUMBUS, OH 43215-3431 (614) 387-9370 (888) 664-8345 FAX: (614) 387-9379 www.sconet.state.oh.us

OFFICE OF SECRETARY

OPINION 2006-2
Issued February 10, 2006

[CPR Opinion-provides advice under the Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility which is superseded by the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, eff. 2/1/2007.]

SYLLABUS: It is proper for a solo practitioner to name his or her law firm “The X Law Group” when “X” is the solo practitioner’s surname and “X” employs one or more attorney as associates. “Group” and “Law Group” are not considered misleading or a trade name when used in naming a law firm comprised of more than one attorney. “Group” or “Law Group” should not be used in a law firm name to refer to paralegals, other non-attorney personnel, office sharing attorneys, or “of counsel” attorneys.

OPINION: This opinion addresses the use of the words “Group” or “Law Group” in a law firm name.

Is it proper for a solo practitioner to name his or her law firm “The X Law Group” when “X” is the solo practitioner’s surname and “X” employs two attorneys as associates?

In Ohio, law firm names are governed by DR 2-102(B) of the Ohio Code of Professional Conduct, DR 2-104(G), and Rule III of the Supreme Rules of the Government of the Bar of Ohio.

DR 2-102(B) applies to all law firm names.

DR 2-102 (B)

A lawyer in private practice shall not practice under a trade name, a name that is misleading as to the identity of the lawyer or lawyers practicing under the name, or a firm name containing names other than those of one or more of the lawyers in the firm, except that the name of a professional corporation or association, legal clinic, limited liability company, or registered partnership shall contain symbols indicating the nature of the organization as required by Gov. Bar R. III. If otherwise lawful, a firm may use as, or continue to include in, its name the name or names of one or more deceased or retired members of the firm or of a predecessor firm in a continuing line of succession. A lawyer who assumes a judicial,

Op. 2006-2
2

legislative, public executive, or administrative post or office shall not permit his or her name to remain in the name of a law firm or to be used in professional notices of the firm during any significant period in which the lawyer is not actively and regularly practicing law as a member of the firm, and during this period other members of the firm shall not use the lawyer's name in the firm name or in professional notices of the firm.

DR 2-104(G) applies specifically to legal clinic names. Under DR 2-104(G), a legal clinic name “shall consist only of the names of one or more of the active practitioners in the organization, and may include the phrase “legal clinic” or words of similar import. The use of a trade name or geographical or other type of identification or description is prohibited. The name of any active practitioner in the clinic may be retained after the lawyer’s death, retirement or inactivity because of age or disability, and the name must otherwise conform to other provisions of the Code of Professional Responsibility and The Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio.”

Rule III of the Rules for the Government of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Ohio applies to the name of a legal professional association, corporation, legal clinic, limited liability company, or registered partnership.

Gov. Bar R. III, Section 2. Name

The name of a legal professional association, corporation, legal clinic, limited liability company, or registered partnership shall comply with DR 2-102 of the Code of Professional Responsibility.
The name of a legal professional association or legal clinic shall end with the legend, "Co., LPA" or shall have immediately below it, in legible form, the words "A Legal Professional Association." The name of a corporation, limited liability company, or registered partnership shall include a descriptive designation as required under sections 1701.05(A), 1705.05(A), or 1775.62, respectively, of the Revised Code.

Ohio’s rules do not mention use of the words “Group” or “Law Group” in a law firm name. Thus, the Board must construe the rules. Does the inclusion of the words “Group” or “Law Group” merely add an innocuous descriptive term to a firm name? Or, does the inclusion of “Group” or “Law Group” transform an otherwise proper firm name into a misleading or trade name?

Use of the word “group” in a firm name has been addressed in two states. The Missouri Bar offered, without explanation, this advice: “It would be permissible for a law firm consisting of a principal and associate or two principals to be known as the X Law Group, L.C. It would not be permissible to use the word ‘group,’ if the firm consists of only one attorney.” Missouri Bar, Informal Op. 20000142 (undated).

Op. 2006-2
3

The New York State Bar answered affirmatively when asked this question: “Under DR 2-102(B), may an attorney use his or her surname together with the word “group” as a law firm name where the attorney’s firm has a number of associates?” New York State Bar Assn, Op. 732 (9/28/2000). Like Ohio, New York’s DR 2-102(B) prohibits trade names and misleading names. The New York committee stated: “We do not believe that the name ‘The X Group’ would deceive the public about the identity, responsibility or status of those who use the name. A group is simply ‘a number of individuals bound together by a community of interest, purpose or function.’ Webster’s Third New World Dictionary (7th ed. 1993). The name ‘The X Group’ signifies nothing more than the attorney X practices law together with a group of other individuals, which is in fact the case.”

Use of the words “Group” or “Law Group” in a law firm name has not been addressed in Ohio; however, use of the words “and Associates” has been addressed. In Opinion 95-1 the Board advised that the phrase “and Associates” may be used in a law firm name if the attorney employs other attorneys.” Ohio SupCt, Bd of Comm’rs on Grievances & Discipline, Op. 95-1 (1995). The Board stated that the phrase “and Associates” in a firm name indicates that an attorney employs other attorneys.

There are similarities and differences between the words “and Associates” and “Group” or “Law Group.” Like the words “Group” or “Law Group,” the words “and Associates” are not mentioned in Ohio’s rules governing firm names.

Unlike the words “Group” or “Law Group,” which are more general in nature, the words “and Associates” are more specific. A group, by definition, is “[a]n assemblage of persons or objects located or gathered together.” Webster’s II, New Riverside University Dictionary 551 (1984). An associate, by definition, is “[a] colleague or companion” or “[a] junior member of an organization or profession; esp., a lawyer in a law firm, usu. with fewer than a certain number of years in practice, who may, upon achieving the requisite seniority, receive an offer to become a partner or shareholder.” Black’s Law Dictionary, 8th Ed. 132 (2004).

Although “Group” and “Law Group” are general terms, the words are not considered misleading or a trade name when used in the name of a law firm comprised of more than one attorney. When more than one attorney practices in a law firm, “Group” or “Law Group” in the firm name is appropriate because there actually is a “group” of attorneys.

But, when there is only one attorney in a law firm, the words “Group” or “Law Group” are not proper in a law firm name. “Group” or “Law Group” should not be used in a law firm name to refer to paralegals or other non-attorney personnel. DR 2-102 does not authorize references to or inclusion of names of non-attorneys in a law firm name. “Group” or Law Group” should not be used in a law firm name to refer to office sharing attorneys. Office sharing attorneys are not in the same firm and should not be included in a firm name. “Group” or “Law Group” should not be used in a law firm name to refer to “of counsel” attorneys. “Of counsel” attorneys have a continuing, close, regular, and personal relationship

Op. 2006-2
4

with a law firm, but the relationship is other than as a partner or associate. See Bd Comm’rs on Grievances & Discipline, Op. 2004-11 (2004).

Thus, the Board advises as follows. It is proper for a solo practitioner to name his or her law firm “The X Law Group” when “X” is the solo practitioner’s surname and “X” employs one or more attorney as associates. “Group” and “Law Group” are not considered misleading or a trade name when used in naming a law firm comprised of more than one attorney. “Group” or “Law Group” should not be used in a law firm name to refer to paralegals, other non-attorney personnel, office sharing attorneys, or “of counsel” attorneys.

Advisory Opinions of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline are informal, nonbinding opinions in response to prospective or hypothetical questions regarding the application of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Judiciary, the Code of Professional Responsibility, the Code of Judicial Conduct, and the Attorney’s Oath of Office.