Ethics Opinion 136

Ethics Opinion 136

4.9.1970

By Committee on Professional Ethics

NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

Professional Ethics Committee Opinion

Opinion #136 – 04/09/1970 (15-70)
Topic: Letterheads; Deceased partner’s name.
Digest: Propriety of letterhead of firm in containing name of deceased partner.

Code:  DR 2-102

QUESTION

A partner of a law firm recently died. May his name be continued on the firm letterhead with his years of association with the firm?

OPINION

DR 2-102 states:(A) A lawyer or law firm shall not use… letterheads… except that the following may be used if they are in dignified form:(4) A letterhead of a lawyer identifying him by name and as a lawyer, and giving his addresses, telephone numbers, the name of his law firm, associates and any information permitted under
DR 2-105. A letterhead of a law firm may also give the names of members and associates, and names and dates relating to deceased and retired members.There is no ethical objection to the proposed letterhead.