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RULE 7.5 FIRM NAMES AND LETTERHEADS
(a) A lawyer shall not use a firm name, letterhead or other professional designation that violates Rule 7.1.
(b) A law firm with offices in more than one jurisdiction may use the
same name in each jurisdiction, but identification of the lawyers in an
office of the firm shall indicate the jurisdictional limitations on
those not licensed to practice in the jurisdiction where the office is
located.
(c) The name of a lawyer holding public office shall not be used in the
name of a law firm, or in communications on its behalf, during any
substantial period in which the lawyer is not actively and regularly
practicing with the firm.
(d) Lawyers may state or imply that they practice in a partnership or other organization only when that is the fact.
(e) A trade name may be used by a lawyer in private practice if:
(2) the trade name does not imply a connection with a government entity, with a public or charitable legal services organization or any other organization, association or institution or entity, unless there is, in fact, a connection.
The maximum penalty for a violation of this Rule is a public reprimand.
Comment
[1] Firm names and letterheads are subject to the general requirement of all advertising that the communication must not be false, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading. Therefore, lawyers sharing office facilities, but who are not in fact partners, may not denominate themselves as, for example, "Smith and Jones," for that title suggests partnership in the practice of law. Nor may a firm engage in practice in Georgia under more than one name. For example, a firm practicing as A, B and C may not set up a separate office called "ABC Legal Clinic."
[2] Trade names may be used so long as the name includes the name of at least one or more of the lawyers actively practicing with the firm. Firm names consisting entirely of the names of deceased or retired partners have traditionally been permitted and have proven a useful means of identification. Sub-paragraph (e)(1) permits their continued use as an exception to the requirement that a firm name include the name of at least one active member.