ETHICS OPINION 356-1940

NUMBER 356 1940

Question. Is it professionally proper for a member of the Bar of this state to send to practicing attorneys in other states, without other enclosure or explanatory matter, a circular or card in the following form;

NEW YORK CITY

Answer. Canon 27 of the Canons of Professional Ethics of the American Bar Association, as amended September 30, 1937, permits the customary use of simple professional cards, The statements therein should, however, not go beyond those permissible in approved law lists and which are limited to the lawyer’s name and the names of his professional associates, addresses, telephone numbers, cable addresses, special branches of the profession practiced, etc.

Advertisements of skill or experience, or other extraordinary qualifications have heretofore been disapproved by this Committee. (See Opinions 45, 293, and 348.)

The proposed circular or card in the form submitted offends in the use of the words “Thorough Investigations and Efficient Handling.”