Ethics Counsel
Ethics Opinion No. 133
Adopted February 26, 1937
The Board of Governors is in receipt of the following inquiry:
“For some years past, we have carried a card in the City Directory of ………….. as follows:
‘ ………………….
Special attention to Civil Practice including Titles and probate.
………… Bldg. Phone ……..’
We would like to continue this card as follows:
‘ ………………….
Attorney and Counsellor [sic] at Law,
………… Bldg. Phone ……..’
Would I, in the opinion of the Board of Governors, be violating rule 45 or any other provision of the code of ethics by placing this card as above?”
In response:
The attention of the inquirer is directed to Advisory Opinion No. 124, appearing in the November, 1936, Bar Journal.
In addition to what was said in that opinion, it is observed that Rule 45 also provides:
“A publication, the prime purpose of which is not the listing of lawyers, or which contains a roll of lawyers as an adjunct to other matter not addressed to the profession, is not within the term ‘reputable law directory’ or the term ‘reputable law list’.”
“A publication the circulation of which is not confined to members of the profession is not within the term ‘reputable law directory’ or the term ‘reputable law list’.”
The Board is of the opinion that the insertion of the proposed card in the City Directory would be in contravention of Rules 29 and 45 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar.