Can a lawyer put degree and certification initials like B.B.A., LL.B., and C.P.A. after his name on his letterhead?

Plain-English summary

The question was whether a practicing attorney could use a letterhead listing his name as "John Roe, B.B.A., LL.B., C.P.A." with his post office box and phone number.

The Committee concluded that he could not. The use of "B.B.A., LL.B., C.P.A." was self-laudatory and constituted holding himself out as having special talents or qualifications, in violation of Canon 24. The Committee cited Opinions 198 and 136 and compared Opinion 119. The vote was 9-0.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1964, 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, though prohibitions on solicitation were not eliminated. 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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: Can a lawyer list academic degrees after his name on his letterhead?

A: The Committee said no for "B.B.A., LL.B., C.P.A.," finding the listing self-laudatory and a holding out of special qualifications in violation of Canon 24.

Q: Was the C.P.A. designation the problem, or the whole string?

A: The Committee treated the use of "B.B.A., LL.B., C.P.A." together as the violation, describing the listing as self-laudatory and as holding the lawyer out as having special talents or qualifications.

Background and rules framework

The opinion interprets former Texas Canon 24, which barred advertising and self-laudation by lawyers. The modern analogs are ABA Model Rule 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services) and Model Rule 7.4 (communication of fields of practice and specialization).

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• MR 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services), as the modern analog
• MR 7.4 (communication of fields of practice and specialization), as the modern analog
• Texas Canon 24 (former canon)

Other opinions cited:

• Texas Opinions 198 and 136: relied on for the result
• Texas Opinion 119: compared

See also

• TX Ethics Op. 305: Listing Practice Specialties on a Lawyer's Letterhead
• TX Ethics Op. 306: Military Rank on a Lawyer's Professional Calling Card
• TX Ethics Op. 290: Lawyer Title Agent Distributing Branded Contract Forms

Source

• Landing page: https://www.legalethicstexas.com/resources/opinions/opinion-291/
• Original PDF: https://tcle-web.s3.amazonaws.com/public/documents/Opinion_291.pdf

Original opinion text

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

QUESTION PRESENTED

Is it proper for a practicing attorney to use the following professional letterhead?
"John Roe, B.B.A., LL.B., C.P.A.
P. O. Box 123 Χ Phone HI 4-5673
Small Town, Texas 91011"

18 Baylor L. Rev. 360 (1966)

SOLICITATION - ADVERTISEMENTS - LETTERHEADS
A practicing attorney may not list "B.B.A., LL.B., G.P.A." on his professional letterhead.

No. The use of "B.B.A., LL.B., C.P.A." is self-laudatory and constitutes holding himself out as having special talents or qualifications in violation of Canon 24. See Opinions 198 and 136; and cf. Opinion 119. (9-0.)

Tex. Comm. On Professional Ethics, Op. 291 (1964)