Can a lawyer run a newspaper card listing his name, that he is an attorney, and his field of practice?
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This page answers the general question as of 1958. Ezel answers yours: whether it's allowed on your facts, under the current Texas Rules of Professional Conduct, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The inquiry asked whether a lawyer could run a card in his local newspaper reading "John Doe, Attorney at Law, Wills, Estates and Estate Planning."
The Committee concluded that it would be a violation, citing Opinion 68 (9-0). The headnote frames the holding as covering a card in a newspaper showing the lawyer's name, that he is an attorney, and his field.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1958, under the former Texas Canons of Ethics, which the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct replaced effective January 1, 1990. It also predates Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, 433 U.S. 350 (1977), which loosened categorical advertising restrictions. 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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.
Common questions
Q: Could a lawyer advertise his practice field on a newspaper card?
A: The Committee concluded that running a newspaper card showing the lawyer's name, that he is an attorney, and his field of practice would be improper, citing Opinion 68.
Q: Which Canons did the Committee identify?
A: The opinion lists Canons 24, 39, and 42 and concludes the card would be a violation.
Background and rules framework
The opinion interprets former Texas Canons 24 (advertising and solicitation), 39, and 42, as applied to a newspaper card identifying the lawyer and his field. The modern analogs are ABA Model Rule 7.2 (advertising) and Model Rule 7.4 (communication of fields of practice and specialization).
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- MR 7.2 (advertising), as the modern analog
- MR 7.4 (communication of fields of practice), as the modern analog
- Texas Canons 24, 39, and 42 (former canons on advertising and professional cards)
Other opinions cited:
- Texas Opinion 68
See also
- TX Ethics Op. 168: "Attorney at Law" on Christmas Cards
- TX Ethics Op. 165: Listing in a High-School Publication
- TX Ethics Op. 200: Out-of-City Directory Listing as "Patent Attorneys"
Source
- Landing page: https://www.legalethicstexas.com/resources/opinions/opinion-169/
- Original PDF: https://tcle-web.s3.amazonaws.com/public/documents/Opinion_169.pdf
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
QUESTION PRESENTED
Would it be a violation of the Canons of Ethics for a lawyer to run the following card in his local newspaper:
John Doe
Attorney at Law Wills, Estates and Estate Planning
18 Baylor L. Rev. 269 (1966)
SOLICITATION - PROFESSIONAL CARDS - NOTICE OF SPECIALIZED LEGAL SERVICES - NEWSPAPERS
For an attorney to run a card in a newspaper showing his name, that he is an attorney and his field would be improper.
Canons 24, 39, 42.
It would be a violation. See Opinion 68. (9-0)
Tex. Comm. On Professional Ethics, Op. 169 (1958)
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