Resource Page: Missouri Law License Categories; Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
Missouri Supreme Court Rules
- Rule 4-5.5 – Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
- Rule 4-8.5 – Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law
- Rule 6.01 – Annual Enrollment Fee and Statement – Exemptions – Penalties – Pro Hac Vice Fee – Pro Bono Waiver
- Rule 6.03 Election to Become Inactive
- Rule 6.05 Unauthorized Practice by Suspended, Stricken, or Inactive Lawyers
- Rule 6.06 – Return to Active Status
- Rule 8 – Admission to the Bar
- Rule 8.105 – Limited Admission for In-House Counsel
- Rule 9.01 – Authorized Practice of Law
- Rule 9.03 – Visiting Attorney Appearing in a Particular Case
- Rule 13 – Legal Assistance by Law Students
Informal Opinions
- 2024-13 (lawyer should consider choice of law when practicing pro hac vice in another jurisdiction)
- 2024-12 (retiring lawyer winding up practice from another state)
- 2024-05 (out-of-state lawyer reviewing purchase documents)
- 2024-04 (out-of-state lawyer representing client in deposition for lawsuit pending in Missouri; pro hac vice admission for visiting attorney in a particular case)
- 2024-03 (virtual practice of law of another jurisdiction from Missouri, but not licensed in Missouri; Missouri license required)
- 2024-02 (virtual practice by in-house counsel located outside Missouri for corporation located in Missouri; Missouri license required)
- 2022-02 (retirement; inactive status; pro bono)
- 2021-10 (practice of law in Missouri by Category 3 lawyer (nonresident); Change to Category 1 required)
- 2020-02 (retiring lawyer taking inactive status)
- 20060062 (single-member LLC and single-member S corporation may not appear before an administrative tribunal pro se)
- 20040021 (unauthorized practice of law by non-attorney owned company; fee sharing)
- 20030078 (out-of-state lawyer and conduct while attempting to become licensed in Missouri)
- 20030055 (out-of-state lawyer and holding out while awaiting licensure in Missouri); see also Informal Opinions 980219 and 960276
- 20010080 (non-Missouri lawyer and Of Counsel relationship with Missouri firm)
- 20000029 (active practice of law by Missouri lawyer; IRS volunteer work)
- 20000013 (pro hac vice required for appearance by out-of-state lawyer before a Missouri administrative tribunal)
- 990105 (law student conduct under Rule 13 certification)
- 990226 (lawyer assisting in unauthorized practice by insurance agency; seminars)
- 980200 (partnership between Missouri lawyer and out-of-state lawyer)
- 980010 (resident of Missouri not eligible to practice under Rule 9.03); see also Informal Opinions 940092 and 930152
- 980062 (out-of-state lawyer establishing office in Missouri for immigration law); see also Informal Opinion 970098
- 970081 (inactive lawyer acting as a paralegal)
- 970045 (disbarred lawyer serving as a paralegal); see also Informal Opinion 960228
- 970073 (Missouri lawyer reviewing documents for closing out-of-state)
- 970042 (out-of-state lawyer and mediations)
- 960276 (out-of-state lawyer and conduct while awaiting licensure in Missouri)
- 960055 (pro bono practice of law by out-of-state lawyer prohibited)
- 960031 (attorney writing demands for collection agency; unauthorized practice of law)
- 950270 (attorney representing collection agency; fee splitting; unauthorized practice of law)
- 950257 (attorney may practice in partnership with solicitors admitted in England and Wales)
- 950145 (attorney relationship with insurance agent; improper solicitation; unauthorized practice of law)
- 950084 (suspended attorney coaching pro se individual on rules of evidence; unauthorized practice of law)
- 950066 (attorney giving abstract opinions; employment by non-attorney)
- 950052 (suspended attorney must withdraw from case)
- 950015 (out-of-state attorney and settlement negotiations)
- 940177 (preparation of deed by out-of-state lawyer)
- 940126 (unauthorized practice of law by general business corporation owned by lawyer)
- 940070 (attorney representing client in real estate contract; client bringing non-attorney to attorney’s office and non-attorney advising client on matters)
- 940055 (attorney participating in living trust program run by non-attorneys)
- 940036 (attorney assisting non-attorney in unauthorized practice of law regarding estate planning documents)
- 940029 (attorney’s title company and unauthorized practice of law by non-attorneys)
- 940002 (attorney assisting financial advisor in authorized practice of law; improper solicitation)
- 930172 (referral relationship with insurance agent; improper solicitation; unauthorized practice of law)
- 930169 (Missouri lawyer assisting an out-of-state lawyer with unauthorized practice of law; seminars)
- 930144 (attorney participating in a broadcast station’s coverage of legal issues)
- 930123 (attorney presenting seminars; fee splitting with non-lawyer and unauthorized practice of law)
- 930103 (insurance agent identifying potential need for estate planning work and telling client they would benefit from legal advice; relationship between lawyer and agent)
- 930096 (assisting unauthorized practice by collection agency)
Requesting an Informal Advisory Opinion
Missouri attorneys may request an informal advisory opinion from the Legal Ethics Counsel. Guidelines for requesting an informal advisory opinion, in writing or by telephone, are found here. The Office of Legal Ethics Counsel may be reached by telephone at 573-638-2263.
Updated August 9, 2024