Legal Ethics Use of Foreign Law Firm Name

In November 1979, Atty. Vicente Torres sent a letter to one Rosie Clurman, represented by Atty. Adriano
Dacanay, asking Clurman to release some shares to Torres client. The letterhead contained the name
Baker & McKenzie. Dacanay denied Clurmans liability and at the same time he asked why is Torres
using the letterhead Baker & McKenzie, a foreign partnership established in Chicago, Illinois. No reply
was received so Dacanay filed an administrative complaint enjoining Torres from using Baker &
McKenzie.

Later, Torres said that he is an associate of the law firm Guerrero & Torres; that their law firm is a
member of Baker & McKenzie; that the said foreign firm has members in 30 cities all over the world;
that they associated with them in order to make a representation that they can render legal services of
the highest quality to multinational business enterprises and others engaged in foreign trade and
investment.

ISSUE: Whether or not the use of a foreign law office name is allowed.

HELD: No. Baker & McKenzie, being an alien law firm, cannot practice law in the Philippines. Such use of
foreign law firm name is unethical therefore Torres and his law firm are enjoined from using Baker &
McKenzie in their practice of law.