Question Upon the death of an attorney, his heir, who is not a lawyer, desired to dispose of the law library, office equipment and unexpired office lease, and submitted for publication in the Texas Bar Journal the following advertisement. Large clientele, and good standing in community and area.
Deal includes everything, library, location, and secretary.
The legal profession has in numerous past opinions condemned the sale, or the advertisement for sale, or the purchase of a law practice including good will and established clientele. Lawyers are not tradesmen. They have nothing to sell but personal service. An attempt, therefore, to barter in clients, would appear to be inconsistent with the best concepts of our professional status. The advertisement in the inquiry was, as stated, submitted to the Bar Journal by the heir of a deceased lawyer, which heir is not a lawyer and, therefore, not subject to the decisions of this committee.