Can a lawyer list past verdicts obtained in a yellow pages advertisement?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 1991. Ask about yours and see what the current Washington Rules of Professional Conduct say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The inquiry concerned a yellow pages advertisement of another lawyer that included, among other things, statements about verdicts the lawyer had obtained. The committee was of the opinion that such advertising statements, even if true, are likely to create an unjustified expectation about the results the lawyer can achieve in future cases, which would violate RPC 7.1(b).
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1991, before the Washington State Bar Association's adoption of the 2006 revisions to the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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 advertise verdicts won in past cases?
A: Under this 1991 opinion, the committee was of the opinion that such statements, even if true, likely create an unjustified expectation about future results in violation of RPC 7.1(b).
Q: Does it matter that the verdicts are real?
A: The committee was of the opinion that even true statements about verdicts obtained are likely to create the prohibited unjustified expectation.
Background and rules framework
At the time of this opinion, Washington's RPC 7.1(b) prohibited communications likely to create an unjustified expectation about the results a lawyer can achieve, the subject the Model Rules place in Rule 7.1. The committee applied it to truthful verdict statements that imply comparable outcomes in future cases.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- ABA Model Rule 7.1 (communications creating unjustified expectations)
- Washington RPC 7.1(b)
See also
- WA Ethics Op. 1371: 'Save Up to 1/3 on Attorney's Fees' Advertising
- WA Ethics Op. 1353: Law Practice Plus Hypnotherapy
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=492
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
The Committee reviewed your inquiry regarding a yellow page advertisement of another lawyer which included, among other things, statements regarding verdicts obtained by that lawyer. The Committee was of the opinion that such advertising statements, even if true, are likely to create an unjustified expectation about results the lawyer can achieve in future cases which would violate RPC 7.1(b).
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