ISBA Professional Conduct Advisory Opinions

  • Use of the terms “senior counsel,” “special counsel,” and “counsel” to describe lawyers with whom a firm has a close, regular, and personal relationship : Opinion # 24-02
  • Use of Deceased or Retired Partners' Names in Firm Name and Proper Characterization of "Of Counsel" Relationship : Opinion # 22-04
  • Named partner in full-time nonlegal employment and no longer practicing law. : Opinion # 20-04
  • Out of state professional coroporation registration under Rule 721 : Opinion # 16-01
  • Firm name implying partnership, referencing Of Counsel relationship : Opinion # 03-02
  • Capital Litigation Trial Bar designation : Opinion # 03-03
  • Identifying predecessor firms on letterhead : Opinion # 89-06
  • Names of nonlawyer firm employees on firm letterhead : Opinion # 87-01
  • Use of law firm letterhead by client with lawyer review and approval : Opinion # 86-08
  • Law firm providing letterhead to client : Opinion # 85-07
  • Misrepresenting partnership status : Opinion # 85-02
  • Use of suspended lawyers name : Opinion # 865
  • Use of names of deceased lawyers : Opinion # 84-10
  • Use of similar law firm names : Opinion # 736
  • Use of deceased firm member’s name : Opinion # 709

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.