Does adding 'P.C.' to a law firm name that uses '... & Company' adequately show the firm's organizational structure?
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This page answers the general question as of 1996. 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 inquirer asked whether using "P.C." after a law firm name that uses "... & Company" would provide sufficient clarification of the firm's organizational structure to satisfy RPC 7.1, 7.5(a), and 7.5(d). The committee concluded that the use of "P.C." would satisfy the requirements under the Rules.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1996, 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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. Washington's RPC 7.1 and 7.5 correspond to ABA Model Rules 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services) and 7.5 (firm names and letterheads).
Common questions
Q: Can a firm use "... & Company" in its name if it adds "P.C."?
A: The committee concluded that adding "P.C." provides sufficient clarification of the firm's organizational structure to satisfy RPC 7.1, 7.5(a), and 7.5(d).
Q: Why does adding "P.C." matter?
A: The committee tied the conclusion to the firm-name rules' concern with clarifying the firm's organizational structure, which the "P.C." designation supplied.
Background and rules framework
The opinion applied RPC 7.5(a) and 7.5(d) (firm names and the designation of a firm's organizational form, corresponding to ABA Model Rule 7.5) together with RPC 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services, corresponding to ABA Model Rule 7.1). The committee treated the "P.C." designation as enough to clarify the structure of a firm whose name included "... & Company."
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- ABA Model Rule 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services); Washington RPC 7.1
- ABA Model Rule 7.5 (firm names and letterheads); Washington RPC 7.5(a), 7.5(d)
See also
- WA Ethics Op. 1656: Using '& Company' in a Firm Name
- WA Ethics Op. 1682: LLP Letterhead Need Not Flag a P.C. Member
- WA Ethics Op. 1657: Whether a PLLC Is a 'Firm' or 'Company'
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=754
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1680
Year Issued: 1996
RPC(s): RPC 7.1; 7.5(a); 7.5(d)
Subject: Law firm name; use of "P.C."
The Committee discussed your inquiry regarding whether the use of P.C. after a law firm using . . . & Company as its name, would provide sufficient clarification of the firm's organizational structure to satisfy RPC 7.1, 7.5(a) and 7.5(d). The Committee concluded that the use of P.C. would satisfy the requirements under the Rules.
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