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Nine state bars currently prohibit the use of trade names for law firms. Instead, firms are required to use the last names of their partners, even when the surnames are extremely common or if the partners are dead. Trade names, such as Amazon, Apple, Uber, and LawHQ distinguish the firms by describing what they do and creating a memorable brand.Thomas Alvord, the CEO and managing partner at LawHQ, had this to say: “These rules were made in the 1800s. Attorneys were protecting their social status. It’s time for the legal profession to recognize that prohibiting a trade name is unconstitutional. We have the right to call ourselves whatever we like, as long as it is not misleading. How does it help the average person to try to distinguish between 20 firms who all are named 'Jones'?”
The complaints argue that wholesale prohibitions on the use of trade names as a firm name are unconstitutional and should be abolished. LawHQ created CallerHQ, a free app that allows clients to report spam texts and calls, holding telemarketers and robocallers responsible and helping protect consumers’ privacy. Clients get 50% of whatever LawHQ is able to collect in damages from the spammers. Each illegal call, text message, and voicemail can be worth $500 or more under federal law.
“We’d like to represent clients in every state and stop the flood of invasive and annoying calls,” said Rebecca Evans, CLO of LawHQ. “Currently 41 states allow trade names like LawHQ. We reached out to the remaining states and requested permission to use our name in hiring attorneys and representing clients. They refused, so we have no choice but to bring these suits. It has been a monumental undertaking, and our entire team has worked tirelessly to bring this to the courts’ attention.”
LawHQ filed 9 separate federal lawsuits against the state bars of Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas.
To learn more about the lawsuits and view the complaints, please visit: https://lawhq.com/blog/more-than-a-name-why-lawhq-is-suing-9-state-bars
Contact Info:
Name: Rebecca Evans
Email: Send Email
Organization: LawHQ, LLC
Website: https://www.lawhq.com
Release ID: 88944042
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