Can a lawyer attend a Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast where members introduce themselves and say what they do?

Plain-English summary

A lawyer asked about attending a Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting at which attendees introduce themselves and explain what they do for a living. The committee was of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct prohibits attending such breakfast meetings.

The committee qualified that the lawyer must not engage in in-person solicitation of group members, and must not allow others to engage in such conduct on the lawyer's behalf.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1995, before the Washington State Bar Association's adoption of the 2006 revisions to the 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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. RPC 7.3 corresponds to ABA Model Rule 7.3 on solicitation of clients.

Common questions

Q: Can a lawyer attend a Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast?

A: Yes. The committee said nothing in the rules prohibits attending such meetings, including introducing oneself and explaining what one does for a living.

Q: What is the limit at such an event?

A: The committee said the lawyer must not engage in in-person solicitation of group members, and must not allow others to do so on the lawyer's behalf.

Background and rules framework

The opinion applied RPC 7.3 (Washington's pre-2006 rule on solicitation, corresponding to ABA Model Rule 7.3). The committee treated mere attendance and self-introduction at a networking event as permissible, distinguishing it from prohibited in-person solicitation of the group's members.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• ABA Model Rule 7.3 (solicitation of clients); Washington RPC 7.3

See also

• WA Ethics Op. 1218: Targeted Direct Mail Solicitation
• WA Ethics Op. 1155: Direct Mail Letters Using a Trade Group Mailing List

Source

• Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=685

Original opinion text

Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.

Advisory Opinion: 1603
Year Issued: 1995
RPC(s): RPC 7.3
Subject: In- person solicitation

The Committee reviewed your inquiry regarding attendance at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting where attendees introduce themselves and explain what they do for a living. The Committee was of the opinion that nothing in the RPCs prohibits attendance at such breakfast meetings, so long as the lawyer does not engage in in-person solicitation of group members, or allow others to engage in such conduct on the lawyer's behalf.