Ethics Opinion

Opinion 62-69

FLORIDA BAR ETHICS OPINION
OPINION 62-69
May 6, 1963
Advisory ethics opinions are not binding.
It is improper for a lawyer to leave a supply of his professional business cards with an
officer of a bank, savings and loan association, or business house at the request of such officer so
that the cards may be used in referring customers to the lawyer for professional services.
Canon:

27 [See current 4-7.11; 4-7.18(a)]

Chairman Holcomb stated the opinion of the committee:
A member of The Florida Bar asks our opinion on the question of whether it is proper for
an attorney to give his professional business cards to an officer of a bank, savings and loan
association or business house at the request of such officer so that the cards may be used in
referring customers to the attorney for professional services.
We believe that it would be most improper for an attorney to give his professional cards
to anyone for the purpose of referring business, although in individual cases we find no
objection. If an attorney should occasionally give his professional card to such bank officer at the
request of the officer, we do not believe there would be any violation of Canon 27 [See current
Rules 4-7.11; 4-7.18(a)].
However, if he left a large number of cards for such purpose, it definitely would
constitute a violation. We feel that the bank officer should have in mind a particular individual to
whom he desires to hand the card rather than keeping a supply of them on hand to hand out
whenever he sees an opportunity.