After five years with a small three-attorney law firm, a paralegal accepts a position with a twenty-attorney firm that employs ten paralegals. After starting the position, the paralegal notices that her name has been added to the firm's letterhead. All of the other paralegals are also listed on the letterhead, and each one is clearly identified as a paralegal. Has the firm violated any ethical rule by listing the names of the paralegals on its letterhead?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

No, because the Model Rules permit listing non-lawyer staff if their non-lawyer status is clearly indicated. A lawyer or a law firm cannot use letterhead in a way that conveys a false or misleading communication about the lawyer or law firm. Model Rules 7.1 and 7.5(a). Law firm stationary can list the names of non-attorney support staff if their non-attorney status is clearly indicated. ABA Informal Opinion 89-1527. Answer C is the best choice because it reflects Model Rules 7.1 and 7.5(a) and ABA Informal Opinion 89-1527. Neither Answer A, nor Answer B is the best choice because both are contrary to Model Rules 7.1 and 7.5(a) and ABA Informal Opinion 89-1527. Answer D is not the best choice because Model Rule 7.5(a) covers letterhead.

After Five Years with a Small Three-Attorney Law Firm, a Paralegal