Must an LLP law firm's letterhead state that one of its partners is a professional corporation?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 1996. Ask about yours and see what the current Washington Rules of Professional Conduct say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The committee was of the opinion that the letterhead of a law firm practicing as a limited liability partnership would not need to include language indicating that a member of the partnership was a professional corporation.
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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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 7.5 corresponds to ABA Model Rule 7.5 (firm names and letterheads).
Common questions
Q: Must an LLP firm's letterhead disclose that a partner is a professional corporation?
A: The committee was of the opinion that an LLP firm's letterhead need not include language indicating that a member of the partnership is a professional corporation.
Q: Which rule governs the letterhead designation?
A: The committee tied the question to RPC 7.5, the rule governing firm names and letterheads.
Background and rules framework
The opinion applied RPC 7.5 (firm names and letterheads, corresponding to ABA Model Rule 7.5). The committee addressed the level of organizational detail a firm's letterhead must carry and concluded that an LLP need not flag, on its letterhead, that one of its partners is itself a professional corporation.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- ABA Model Rule 7.5 (firm names and letterheads); Washington RPC 7.5
See also
- WA Ethics Op. 1680: 'P.C.' After '& Company' in a Name
- WA Ethics Op. 1656: Using '& Company' in a Firm Name
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1232: Associate on Firm Letterhead
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=756
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1682
Year Issued: 1996
RPC(s): RPC 7.5
Subject: Letterhead; law firm designation; not necessary to indicate member of partnership is professional corporation
The Committee was of the opinion that the letterhead of a law firm practicing as a limited liability partnership would not need to include language indicating that a member of the partnership was a professional corporation.
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