Ethics Opinion 215

Ethics Opinion 215

11.22.1971

By Committee on Professional Ethics

NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

Professional Ethics committee Opinions

Opinion #215 – 11/22/1971 (49-71)

Topic: Attorney circularizing other attorneys
Digest: Within proper limits an attorney may send a dignified letter to other attorneys stating that he specializes in a particular branch of law and is available to act as a consultant
Code; DR 2-105 (A) (3)

QUESTION

Would it be proper for a lawyer to mail to other lawyers, whose clients may be involved in collective bargaining negotiations, a dignified personal letter stating that he is an attorney specializing in labor relations law and announcing that his services are available “of counsel” to render advice in the field of collective bargaining?

OPINION

DR 2-105(A) (3) provides:”A lawyer available to act as a consultant to or as an associate of other lawyers in a particular branch of law or legal service may distribute to other lawyers and publish in legal journals a dignified announcement of such availability, but the announcement shall not contain a representation of special competence or experience. The announcement shall not be distributed to lawyers more frequently than once in a calendar year, but it may be published periodically in legal journals”.Accordingly, the suggested letter may be used within the proper limits as specified in the disciplinary rule.  Cf. N.Y. State 195 (1971).