QUESTION:
Your law firm hired a recent law school graduate who has not yet taken the bar examination or been admitted to the bar of any state. The firm letterhead may ethically refer to the new hire as:
A. Of Counsel.
B. Associate.
C. Attorney.
D. None of the above.
ANSWER: D.
A lawyer is not permitted to make false or misleading statements on the firm’s letterhead. Nebraska Court Rule of Professional Conduct §3-507.1. Non-lawyers who hold themselves out as being authorized to practice law are engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. State of Nebraska ex rel. Commission on the Unauthorized Practice of Law v. Hansen, 286 Nebraska 69, 834 N.W. 2nd 793 (2013).
Prepared by the Counsel for Discipline of the Nebraska Supreme Court. If you have a question about your ethical responsibilities, contact the Office of the Counsel for Discipline at 402-471-1040 or 877-504-0967.