I was recently amused as I was directed to a site detailing “proposed [tag]ethics[/tag] opinions” for North Carolina [tag]lawyers[/tag]. This is no joke. It appears that the ethics rules will prohibit attorneys from handing out business cards, because people might actually give them to potential law firm clients. Do they mean to tell me… *gasp*…. that someone is afraid that an attorney may get a referral after a job well done? And for that very reason multiple business cards may not be handed out?

Apparently so. From the North Carolina State Bar website:

Proposed 2007 Formal Ethics Opinion 4
January 18, 2007
Solicitation after Seminar, Gifts to Clients and Others, and Distribution of Business Cards

Proposed opinion provides guidance on miscellaneous issues relative to client seminars and [tag]solicitation[/tag], gifts to clients and others following referrals, distribution of business cards, and client endorsements.

Inquiry #5:
If a client, non-client, fellow attorney, or allied professional requests one or more business cards or firm brochures from the estate-planning attorney, may the estate-planning attorney oblige the request?

Opinion #5:
The attorney may give a third party one of his business cards or one brochure in response to a request. The attorney may not give the third party multiple cards or brochures because of the risk of in-person solicitation by the third party on the attorney?s behalf. See 2006 FEO 7, Rule 7.3.

Inquiry #6:
Along with a thank-you letter from the attorney to a client for the client?s having allowed the attorney to provide services to that client, may the attorney include a business card and/or firm brochure with the suggestion that the client, if so willing, pass it along to someone who the client thinks might need similar services?

Opinion #6:
No, because of the risk of in-person solicitation by the third party on the attorney?s behalf. See 2006 FEO 7, Rule 7.3.

Can you imagine having a client ask you for a couple of business cards, and you are required to say no?

One Comment

  1. Gena Riede 03/14/2007 at 10:53 pm - Reply

    Who dreams up this stuff? I can’t believe that they would actually allow this to happen in their profession. And no, I can’t begin to imagine that as a Realtor, I am unable to give out my business card. Just doesn’t make any sense.

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