Can a lawyer use a single telephone line for both a non-law business and the law practice?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 1997. Ask about yours and see what the current Washington Rules of Professional Conduct say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The committee said that the use of one telephone line for both a business and a law practice is not misleading in violation of RPC 7.1(a). It added that an attorney using such a dual line should be mindful of RPC 1.6.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1997, 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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 1.6 and 7.1 correspond to ABA Model Rules 1.6 (confidentiality) and 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services).
Common questions
Q: Is sharing one phone line between a business and a law practice misleading?
A: The committee said it is not misleading in violation of RPC 7.1(a).
Q: What should the lawyer watch for when sharing a line?
A: The committee said the attorney using a dual line should be mindful of RPC 1.6, the confidentiality rule.
Background and rules framework
The opinion applied RPC 7.1(a) (the bar on false or misleading communications about a lawyer's services, corresponding to ABA Model Rule 7.1) and RPC 1.6 (confidentiality, corresponding to ABA Model Rule 1.6) to a shared telephone line. The committee found no misleading-communications problem in the shared line itself, while pointing to confidentiality as the duty the arrangement puts at risk.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- ABA Model Rule 1.6 (confidentiality); Washington RPC 1.6
- ABA Model Rule 7.1 (communications concerning a lawyer's services); Washington RPC 7.1(a)
See also
- WA Ethics Op. 1607: Confidentiality and Fax Machines
- WA Ethics Op. 1630: Lawyer Also Working as Insurance Agent
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=774
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1700
Year Issued: 1997
RPC(s): RPC 1.6; 7.1(a)
Subject: Use of one telephone line for both business and law practice
The use of one telephone line for both a business and a law practice is not misleading in violation of 7.1(a), but an attorney using a dual line should be mindful of RPC 1.6.
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