A lawyer may identify paralegals by name and title on the lawyer's letterhead and on business cards identifying the lawyer's firm

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paralegals must be indicative of their status as nonlawyers and not imply that they are

 T          h other titles

       T      

            

         ch the paralegal work s, e.g.,

     T      

          See, e.g.,

C  N M ‘           

      

Most state guidelines specifically endorse paralegals signing correspondence so long a s

their status as a paralegal is clearly indicated by an app ropriate title. See ABA Informal

Opinion 1367 (1976).

GUIDELINE 5 A           

        

COMMENT

▪T          to the client.

Under Guideline 4, above, a lawyer who employs a paralegal has an obligation to ensure

that the status of the paralegal as a nonlawyer is fully disclosed. The primary purpose of

this disclosure is to avoid confusion that might lead someone to belie ve that the paralegal is

a lawyer. The identification suggested by this guideline is consistent with that objective

while also affording the paralegal recognition as an important member of the legal services

team.

▪Paralegals may use business cards and, in many jurisdictions, may be listed on the

firm letterhead and web site. Listings must make it clear when the listed person is a

nonlawyer.

ABA Informal Opinion 1527 (1989) provides that nonlawyer support personnel, including

paralegals, may be listed           

approve of paralegals having business cards. See also ABA Informal Opinion 1185 (1971).

T               

personnel who are    

All state guidelines and ethics opinions that address the issue approve of business cards for

          See, e .g., Florida State Bar

A C  P E O  K B A P E O 

“ B  M “ C  P  J E ‘I  M

L P ‘ B O   “    

and format of the card or the title to be used. E.g., Georgia Guidelines for Attorneys

Utilizing Paralegals, State Disciplinary Board Advisory Op. No. 21 (1977); South Carolina Bar

E O    T G G   U   “  L

Ass  A G VIII A       