Can a law firm use the word 'Courthouse' in its address or the name of its office building?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 1988. Ask about yours and see what the current Washington Rules of Professional Conduct says for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The inquiry concerned the use of the word "Courthouse" in the lawyer's address or the name of the lawyer's office building.
The committee reviewed the inquiry and concluded that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit the use of such a word.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1988, before the 2006 revisions to the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. The rule then numbered RPC 7.1, barring false or misleading communications about a lawyer's services, corresponds to Model Rule 7.1 and was later amended. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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's office building or address include the word "Courthouse"?
A: Per the opinion, yes. The committee concluded that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit using the word "Courthouse" in the firm's address or the name of its office building.
Q: Did the committee impose any condition on using the word?
A: The opinion states the conclusion without attaching conditions; it found no prohibition in the Rules of Professional Conduct on the use of the word.
Background and rules framework
The opinion is indexed under the rule then numbered Washington RPC 7.1, corresponding to Model Rule 7.1, which bars false or misleading communications about a lawyer or the lawyer's services. The committee found that using "Courthouse" in a firm's address or office building name did not run afoul of the rules.
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.
See also
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1146: letterhead listing inactive out-of-state lawyers and RPC 7.1
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1076: firm names and letterhead for a Washington firm with an out-of-state association
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1153: donated legal-service certificates and RPC 7.1's bar on misleading advertising
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=255
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1175
Year Issued: 1988
RPC(s): RPC 7.1
Subject: Firm address; name of office building; use of "Courthouse"
The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning the use of the word "Courthouse" in your address or the name of your office building, and concluded that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit the use of such a word.
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