Can a lawyer put 'Ph.D.' on business cards, letterhead, and telephone book advertisements?
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This page answers the general question as of 1988. 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 nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit a lawyer from adding "Ph.D." to business cards, letterhead, or telephone book advertisements, assuming the information is correct.
The holding is conditioned on accuracy: the degree designation is permissible because, and so long as, the stated information is correct.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1988, before the 2006 revisions to the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. The rules then numbered RPC 7.1 and RPC 7.5 correspond to Model Rules 7.1 and 7.5 and were rewritten in the current rules. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against current rules before relying on any specific rule mentioned here.
Common questions
Q: Can a lawyer who holds a Ph.D. show it on letterhead and business cards?
A: Per the opinion, yes. The committee was of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit adding "Ph.D." to business cards, letterhead, or telephone book advertisements, assuming the information is correct.
Q: Is there any condition on listing the degree?
A: Yes, accuracy. The committee qualified its conclusion with the assumption that the information is correct.
Background and rules framework
The opinion applies the rules then numbered Washington RPC 7.1 (false or misleading communications) and RPC 7.5 (firm names and letterhead), corresponding to Model Rules 7.1 and 7.5. The committee found no bar to listing an accurate "Ph.D." designation on cards, letterhead, or directory advertising, the implicit limit being that the designation must be correct so it is not misleading.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- Washington RPC 7.1 (false or misleading communications about a lawyer's services), corresponding to Model Rule 7.1.
- Washington RPC 7.5 (firm names and letterhead), corresponding to Model Rule 7.5.
See also
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1146: listing lawyers inactive in other states on letterhead
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1144: keeping a departing partner's name in the firm name
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1015: an out-of-state lawyer and associated offices on letterhead
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=231
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1151
Year Issued: 1988
RPC(s): RPC 7.1; 7.5
Subject: Letterhead; business cards; advertising; use of "Ph.D."
The Committee was of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit a lawyer from adding "Ph.D." to business cards, letterhead or telephone book advertisements, assuming the information is correct.
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