ISBA Ethics Opinions on Law Firm Name and Letterhead

Opinion 24-02 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead | Of Counsel Designation
Use of the terms “senior counsel,” “special counsel,” and “counsel” to describe lawyers with whom a firm has a close, regular, and personal relationship

A law firm may use the terms “senior counsel,” “special counsel,” or “counsel,” as well as “of counsel,” to designate lawyers with whom a firm has a close, regular, and personal relationship. Where a lawyer is “senior counsel,” “special counsel,” “counsel,” or “of counsel” to more than one law firm, those law firms will generally be considered as a single firm for purposes of attribution of conflicts of interest and disqualification.
Opinion 22-04 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead | Of Counsel Designation
Use of Deceased or Retired Partners' Names in Firm Name and Proper Characterization of "Of Counsel" Relationship
Opinion 20-04 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead | Of Counsel Designation
Named partner in full-time nonlegal employment and no longer practicing law.
Opinion 16-01 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead | Law Firms | Multijurisdictional Practice
Out of state professional coroporation registration under Rule 721
Opinion 03-03 | Advertising and Solicitation | Law Firm Name and Letterhead
Capital Litigation Trial Bar designation

Resolution of the conflict between Supreme Court Rule 714 and Rule 7.4 favors Rule 714 as the more recent. A lawyer may list the certification "Capital Litigation Trial Bar" on letterhead without the disclaimer that "the Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law."
Opinion 03-02 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead | Of Counsel Designation
Firm name implying partnership, referencing Of Counsel relationship

A law firm’s name may not imply partnership where no actual partnership arrangement exists. A law firm’s name may not mislead the public. A law firm’s name may not contain the name of a partner who withdraws from the firm to join another law firm. A law firm’s name may contain the name of a retired partner or one who has an “of counsel” relationship to the firm, provided the firm takes reasonable steps to show that partner’s status.
Opinion 89-06 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead
Identifying predecessor firms on letterhead
Opinion 87-01 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead | Nonlawyer Assistants
Names of nonlawyer firm employees on firm letterhead
Opinion 86-08 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead | Unauthorized Practice of Law
Use of law firm letterhead by client with lawyer review and approval
Opinion 85-07 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead | Unauthorized Practice of Law
Law firm providing letterhead to client
Opinion 85-02 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead
Misrepresenting partnership status
Opinion 865 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead
Use of suspended lawyers name
Opinion 84-10 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead
Use of names of deceased lawyers
Opinion 736 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead
Use of similar law firm names
Opinion 709 | Law Firm Name and Letterhead
Use of deceased firm member’s name

ISBA Advisory Opinions on Professional Conduct are prepared as an educational service to members of the ISBA. While the opinions express the ISBA interpretation of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and other relevant materials in response to a specific hypothesized fact situation, they do not have the weight of law and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individual legal advice. For more information, call the ISBA Legal Department at (217) 525-1760 or (800) 252-8908.