Ohio Board Advisory Opinion Op 87-034

The Supreme Court of Ohio
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON GRIEVANCES AND DISCIPLINE
41 SOUTH HIGH STREET-SUITE 3370, COLUMBUS, OH 43215-6105
(614) 644-5800 FAX: (614) 644-5804
OFFICE OF SECRETARY
OPINION 87-034
December 18, 1987
[CPR Opinion-provides advice under the Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility which is superseded by the Ohio
Rules of Professional Conduct, eff. 2/1/2007.]
[Not Current-subsequent rule amendments to DR 2-102, eff. Dec. 1, 1005; DR 2-105, eff. Jan. 1, 1993.]
SYLLABUS: A lawyer or law firm may ethically send out announcement cards which state new or
changed associations. Nothing in the Code of Professional Responsibility precludes sending such
an announcement to businesses such as banks, savings and loans, and realtors which are not
established clients. The announcement may state that the lawyer's or firm's practice consists largely
of, or is limited to a field or fields of law. The announcement should not claim or imply special
competence or experience in a field of law.
OPINION: We have before us your request for our opinion on whether you may send an
announcement of your recent association with a local law firm to commercial banks, savings and
loans and realtors in your area. You state that these are establishments with which you have had no
specific contacts.
In regard to announcement cards, DR 2-102 (A) (2) of the Code states:

Op 87-034 2
A lawyer or law firm may use or participate in the use of professional cards,
professional announcement cards, office signs, letterheads, or similar professional
notices or devices, that are in dignified form and comply with the following:
. . . A brief professional announcement card stating new or changed
associations or addresses, change of firm name, or similar matters pertaining to the
professional offices of a lawyer or law firm. It shall not state the nature of the
practice except as permitted under DR 2-105.
Therefore, you may ethically send out cards announcing your association with a law firm to the
groups specified in your request letter and above.
The announcement may, under DR 2-105 (A) (5) state that your practice consists in large
part or is limited to a field of fields of law. You may not, however, claim or imply special
competence or experience in a field of law. Code of Professional Responsibility DR 2-105(A) (5).
In conclusion, it is our opinion, and you are so advised, that you may, under the Code of
Professional Responsibility, send out announcement cards to banks, savings and loans and realtors
stating your new association with a law firm. You may not claim or imply special competence or
expertise in a field of law but may state your practice consists largely of, or is limited to a field of
law.
This is an informal, non-binding advisory opinion, based upon the facts as presented
and limited to questions arising under the Code of Professional Responsibility.
James W. Mason, Esq.
Secretary, Board of Commissioners
On Grievances and Discipline