87 N.J.L.J. 449
July 16, 1964
OPINION 46
Advertising
Chamber of Commerce Booklet
Is it ethically proper for an attorney to be a member of a
Chamber of Commerce? May he permit his name to be listed in a
booklet sponsored by the organization?
The attorney who submitted the second question provided a copy
of a Chamber of Commerce announcement or invitation to list in the
booklet or publication which makes it clear that it was a source of
advertisement for the subscribers. For example, a part of the
invitation read, "We are sure you will want to be listed ... since
it will be very advantageous to all of us"; also, "Here's an
opportunity for all of us to inform . of what is available ..." in
the municipality.
Generally any type of advertising by a lawyer is prohibited.
Canons of Professional Ethics, Canon 27; N.J. Advisory Committee on
Professional Ethics, Opinion 21, 86 N.J.L.J. 734 (1963). The ethics
of the legal profession forbid an attorney to advertise his talents
or his skill as a shopkeeper advertises his wares. People v.
McCabe, 18 Colo. 186, 32 P. 280 (Sup. Ct. 1893).
Attorneys should not in any way be discouraged from
participating in civic affairs, civic clubs, organizations or
societies engaged in good faith in civic or community betterment or
in philanthropic, educational or other public service. Accordingly,
an attorney may properly be a member of a Chamber of Commerce.
However, such membership should always be maintained
consistently with the ethics of the profession. Since it appears
that the purpose of the booklet sponsored by the Chamber of
Commerce referred to in the instant inquiry was in part, at least,
for advertising purposes, there is little doubt that it would be
improper for an attorney to permit his name to be listed in the
booklet. N.J. Advisory Committee on Professional Ethics, Opinions
10, 86 N.J.L.J. 719 (1963); 16, 86 N.J.L.J. 734 (1963); 23, 87
N.J.L.J. 19 (1964); and 30, 87 N.J.L.J. 106 (1964), amply
demonstrate the effect of Canon 27.