Also known as: F.K.A. · f/k/a · formerly known as
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An abbreviation denoting a prior name of a person or entity. The abbreviation signals that the following name is no longer current and identifies the historical designation for purposes of clarity in pleadings, contracts, and records.
Sterling Dev operated an in-house genetics facility that performed buccal-swab testing for a paternity action. The facility had recently become accredited by an HHS-designated body after operating for years as BioScan Labs. Counsel listed the laboratory in the motion papers as Sterling Dev Laboratory fka BioScan Labs to establish continuity of accreditation under the statute.
Nordberg sued to recover fraudulent transfers from a coffee trading firm. The complaint identified the defendant as Granfinanciera, S.A. fka Chase & Sanborn Corp. to reflect the entity's name at the time of the challenged transactions and its current designation.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Shareholders challenged a cash-out merger involving a chemical company. The complaint named the surviving corporation as Signal Companies fka UOP, Inc. to trace the corporate lineage and identify the proper defendant for the fairness claim.
A Coast Guard officer challenged his court-martial conviction. The caption listed the respondent as the Secretary of Transportation fka Secretary of the Navy to account for the statutory transfer of the Coast Guard after the events in suit.
A pilot sued the FAA after an earlier suit by his company had been dismissed. The answer identified the prior plaintiff as Herrick fka Fairchild to support the virtual-representation argument that the second action was barred.
Falwell sued over a parody advertisement. The complaint named the publisher as Hustler Magazine fka a prior corporate entity to ensure the correct party was before the court for the intentional-infliction claim.
Counsel uses FKA when an entity or individual has changed its name after the events giving rise to the suit. The abbreviation identifies the former name so that the record accurately reflects the party at the relevant time while also showing the current designation.
Supporting sources
No. FKA merely signals a name change. The underlying legal entity remains the same and retains all rights and obligations that accrued under the prior name.
Supporting sources
The abbreviation is not statutorily required, but listing the laboratory as current name fka former name clarifies that the accreditation held by the predecessor entity applies to the test results offered in a parentage action.
Supporting sources
…Respondent is the host of a nationally syndicated television show and was the founder and president of a political organization formerly known as the Moral Majority. He is also the founder of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and is the author of several books and publications. Who’s Who in America 849 (44th ed.…