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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to firm names used by licensed attorneys. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 81, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 81.116 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 81.116. FIRM NAMES. (a) An attorney may not use a firm |
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name, letterhead, or other professional designation that is false, |
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misleading, or deceptive. |
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(b) An attorney may practice under a trade name that: |
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(1) does not imply a connection with a government |
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agency or with a public or charitable legal services organization; |
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(2) does not imply the firm is something other than a |
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private law firm; and |
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(3) is not false, misleading, or deceptive. |
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(c) The supreme court may not adopt rules that conflict with |
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this section. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Texas Supreme Court shall modify its rules as |
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necessary to comply with Section 81.116, Government Code, as added |
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by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |