People of the Philippines

vs
Inocencio Gonzales, Jr.,
G.R. No. 139542, June 10, 2003

Facts:

In the Motion for Clarification, movant asks: If lawyers and law firms are allowed to call themselves the
law firm of St. Thomas More.

The Office of the Bar Confidant ("OBC") invokes, Rule 3.02 of the Code of Professional Responsibility
which states that "in the choice of a firm name, no false, misleading or assumed name shall be used."

The Supreme Court En Banc agreed with the OBC. "The Law Firm of St. Thomas More and Associate
Members" is not a law firm in this jurisdiction or even in any other jurisdiction.

A "St. Thomas More and Associates" or STMA is a socio-political ministry.

Issue:

Whether the firm of Velasquez, Rodriguez, Respicio, Ramos, Nidea, and Prado may call itself "A law Firm
of St. Thomas More and Associate Members".

Ruling:

The law firm of Velasquez, Rodriguez, Respicio, Ramos, Nidea, and Prado is enjoined from using the
appellation "A Law Firm of St. Thomas More and Associate Members" in any pleading filed before
judicial and quasi-judicial bodies as well as in its professional transactions.

Principle:

No name, not belonging to any of the partners or associates, may be used in the firm name for any
purpose.

The use of the firm name of a foreign law firm is unethical because that firm is not authorized to practice
law in this jurisdiction.