Ohio Board Advisory Opinion Op 87-027

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 87-027
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[CPR Opinion-provides advice under the Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility which is superseded by the Ohio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.]
SYLLABUS: A lawyer may become a member of the Better Business Bureau provided the BBB
continues its practice of forwarding inquiries and complaints regarding lawyers to a local bar
association.
OPINION: We have before us your request for our opinion on whether you may join your local
Better Business Bureau (hereinafter referred to as BBB). You state in your request that the BBB
has sent you their Business Information Form and you are concerned that if you fail to complete the
form it will reflect unfavorably upon you.
It is our opinion that a lawyer may ethically be a member of the BBB. It is our
understanding the BBB does not address inquiries from potential clients of a lawyer. Any inquiry
concerning a lawyer or law firm is referred to the local bar association. Therefore, DR 2-103 (C) of
the Code, which prohibits a lawyer from requesting an organization to recommend or promote the
use of the lawyer's services, would not apply since the BBB does not answer inquiries concerning a
lawyer.

Op. 87-027 2
Furthermore, the BBB does not entertain complaints against lawyers. Again, it is our
understanding that any complaint against a lawyer or law firm is referred to the local bar
association. Therefore, as long as the BBB does not handle complaints against lawyers, a lawyer
may ethically be a member of the BBB.
Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion, and you are so advised, that a lawyer may join
the Better Business Bureau.
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.
Jason W. Mason, Esq.
Secretary, Board of Commissioners
on Grievances and Discipline