ETHICS OPINION 237-1926

ETHICS OPINION 237

NUMBER 237 1926

Question. John Doe is a member of the New York Bar, having an office in the City of New York. Two years ago he became a resident of a city in an adjoining state. He is not a member of the state Bar of such state, but is a member of the Bar of the United States District Court for the District of such state.

Local lawyers in such state carry cards in the local papers.

Would it be ethical for John Doe to insert a card in the local paper at his residence as follows:

JOHN DOE, Counsellor at Law

Broadway, New York City

Residence: [stating it]

Telephone: [stating his residence telephone]

and consult with residents of such state at his residence in regard to legal matters which might be placed in his hands by them for attention in New York, a number of his friends and acquaintances having business in New York.

Answer. In the opinion of the Committee, if the attorney’s card be so worded as to exclude the inference that the attorney is a member of the state Bar of the adjoining state, and if his advertisement o, his practice of giving or his giving of such advice in such adjoining state be not in conflict with the law of such adjoining state, the insertion of such a card in a local paper is a matter of taste only, and is not unethical or unprofessional. For example, a card in the following form, under the conditions stated, would, in the opinion of the Committee, be unobjectionable:

JOHN DOE

Attorney at Law

of the State of New York

[or in the Federal Courts as stated]

_____ Broadway, New York City

Residence: [stating it]

 

Telephone: [stating his residence phone]