Can a law firm place an informational brochure with its name on it in a doctor's waiting room?
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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 the lawyer from preparing an "informational brochure" regarding patients' rights and responsibilities following an auto accident, which had the law firm's name on it and which would be placed in a physician's reception room.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1988, before the 2006 revisions to the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. The rules then numbered RPC 7.2 (advertising) and RPC 7.3 (direct contact with prospective clients) correspond to Model Rules 7.2 and 7.3 and have since been amended. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against current rules before relying on any specific rule or requirement mentioned here.
Common questions
Q: Can a firm put a branded informational brochure in a doctor's waiting room?
A: Per the opinion, yes. The committee was of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit a firm-named informational brochure on patients' rights and responsibilities after an auto accident, placed in a physician's reception room.
Q: Did the committee impose any limit?
A: The committee's opinion described the item as an "informational brochure" on patients' rights and responsibilities and did not identify a rule prohibiting it; it set out no further conditions in the text.
Background and rules framework
The opinion applies the rules then numbered Washington RPC 7.2 (advertising) and RPC 7.3 (direct contact with prospective clients), corresponding to Model Rules 7.2 and 7.3. The committee treated a firm-branded informational brochure left in a physician's waiting room as permissible, finding nothing in the rules that prohibited it.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- Washington RPC 7.2 (advertising), corresponding to Model Rule 7.2.
- Washington RPC 7.3 (direct contact with prospective clients), corresponding to Model Rule 7.3.
See also
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1018: distributing a firm brochure to insurers, agencies, and other referral sources
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1197: firm-branded payment books distributed through an escrow company
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1188: referrals via a religious-organization solicitor
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=292
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1212
Year Issued: 1988
RPC(s): RPC 7.2; 7.3
Subject: Solicitation; brochure in doctor's waiting room
The Committee was of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit you from preparing an "informational brochure" regarding patients' rights and responsibilities following an auto accident which had your law firm's name on it and which would be placed in a physician's reception room.
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