Can legal services provided by Rule 9 interns be advertised, and whose name must appear in the ad?
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This page answers the general question as of 1986. Ezel answers yours: whether it's allowed on your facts, under the current rules of professional conduct in your state, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The committee was of the opinion that advertisements for legal services provided by Rule 9 interns through a legal aid society had to comply with RPC 7.2 and had to include the name of at least one lawyer responsible for the content of the advertisement. The committee was of the opinion that the staff attorney's name could be used in the advertisement.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1986, before the 2006 revisions to the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. RPC 7.2 on advertising was later renumbered and amended. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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 legal services by Rule 9 interns be advertised at all?
A: Per the opinion, yes, provided the advertisement complied with RPC 7.2.
Q: Whose name has to appear in such an advertisement?
A: The committee was of the opinion that the ad had to include the name of at least one lawyer responsible for its content, and that the staff attorney's name could be used.
Background and rules framework
The opinion applies Washington RPC 7.2 on advertising, corresponding to Model Rule 7.2, to advertisements for legal services provided by Rule 9 interns through a legal aid society. The committee required that the ad comply with RPC 7.2 and identify a responsible lawyer, identifying the staff attorney as a name that could be used for that purpose.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- Washington RPC 7.2 (advertising), corresponding to Model Rule 7.2.
See also
- WSBA Ethics Op. 920: paying a referral association
- WSBA Ethics Op. 918: a "no recovery, no fee" ad and misleading content
- WSBA Ethics Op. 847: direct-mail advertising of free seminars
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=165
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1054
Year Issued: 1986
RPC(s): RPC 7.2
Subject: Advertisement for legal services by Rule 9 interns
The Committee was of the opinion that advertisements for legal services provided by Rule 9 interns through [a Legal Aid Society] must comply with Rule 7.2 and must include the name of at least one lawyer responsible for the content of the ad. The Committee was of the opinion that the staff attorney's name could be used in the ad.
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