A proposed change in the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct would lift a prohibition against the use of trade names for law firms, a divisive issue in Texas and elsewhere that has led to free speech suits in several states.

Although it would eliminate the blanket Texas prohibition on trade names, the proposed revision of Rule 7.01 would continue to prohibit lawyers from making or sponsoring false or misleading statements about the qualifications or services of a lawyer or firm.