Ethics Opinions
Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics and Conduct




Date of Opinion: 09/03/1992

Opinion Number: 92-11

Title: The Best Lawyers in America: Review of 91-26

Opinion: Since publication of Formal Opinion 91-26, February 13, 1992, this committee has received information from the publisher of "The Best Lawyers in America" that it is "marketed exclusively to the legal profession, priced for the legal profession and sold almost exclusively to the legal profession." In view of this, the committee has reviewed Formal Opinion 91-26.

It is the opinion of the committee that as long as the present marketing practices continue, The Best Lawyers in America," referred to in Formal Opinion 91-26, constitutes a reputable law list intended primarily for the use of the legal profession contemplated in the exception contained in DR 2-101(C) of the Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers.

In view of the Supreme Court order of August 25, 1992, concerning reputable law lists, it further is the opinion of the Committee that it is not improper for names of Iowa lawyers or their firms to appear in that directory.

Formal Opinion 91-26 is rescinded and superceded hereby.

NOTE: The pertinent language from the Supreme Court order cited in Formal Opinion 91-26A, above, is as follows:
      "This court concludes that the proviso to which reference has been made is a recognition that members of the legal profession are capable of making informed professional judgments concerning the matters contained in lawyer directories. Consequently, the proviso excuses from strict compliance with DR 2-101(A), (B), and (C) reputable law lists and law directories that the Committee finds are intended primarily for the use of the legal profession and that it certifies to be reputable."




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