1972, June, Pg. 47. ETHICS.

1 Colo.Law. 47

Colorado Lawyer

1972.

1972, June, Pg. 47.

ETHICS

47Vol. 1, No. 8, Pg. 47

ETHICSOpinions of the Ethics Committee of the Colorado Bar Association are published here for the information of the members of the Association. Formal opinions are given on matters of general and continuing interest to the Bar. Informal opinions are given in response to specific inquiry.

Informal Opinion: 11-15-71

Topic: Legal service activities of non-profit organization.

Digest: Lawyers may ethically be listed in a certain publication of the church to which they belong, and participate in the church's efforts to procure legal assistance to members desirous of preparing wills.

QuestionA church proposes to provide a list of names of lawyers to its members and to those who attend services on Sunday who need the help of a lawyer in preparing a will. A brief announcement will be included periodically in a weekly church publication concerning gifts to the church with a paragraph to read substantially as follows:If you do not have a will, see your attorney. If you do not have an attorney, the Church office can furnish you with a list of lawyers who are members of the church.

Upon inquiry to the church by one seeking legal assistance in connection with a will, the church will send a form letter to the inquirer substantially as follows:

This letter is sent to you in answer to your request for a list of attorneys who are members of the church. It is hoped that if you do not have a will, or if your existing one needs updating, you will proceed with this all-important business immediately.

There are a number of ways you can include your church in your will. Ask your attorney about them. By including the church, you are perpetuating your love of the church and your stewardship far into the future.

We have a number of lawyer-members. A list of such members, in alphabetical order, is enclosed.

[Attorneys and their telephone numbers would be listed here, and all would be members of the church.]

OpinionIt is the opinion of the Colorado Bar Association Ethics Committee that this plan is not improper and that it does not violate the standards for ethical practices by lawyers. We recommend a change in the final paragraph of the letter of inquiry so as to eliminate any reference to "specialists" and avoid the implied directive to...