20000185 | Office of Legal Ethics Counsel & Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri



Informal Opinion Number: 20000185

Rules: 4-3.5; 4-1.16; 4-8.4

Advocate

Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal

QUESTION: Attorney is representing Client in a traffic matter. Client has a friend who is a friend of the Judge. Client had her friend contact the Judge regarding the traffic violation. The Judge responded that he could not speak about the case. What are Attorney´s ethical violations concerning either mandatory or discretionary withdrawal?
ANSWER: Attorney should advise Client to cease this type of activity and contact. If Client is willing to do so, Attorney may remain in the case. If Client is not willing to do so, Attorney must withdraw.

Informal Opinions are ethics advisory opinions issued by the Office of Legal Ethics Counsel to members of the Bar about Rule 4 (Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 5 (Complaints and Proceedings Thereon), and Rule 6 (Fees to Practice Law) pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.30(c). Written summaries of select Informal Opinions are published for informational purposes as determined by the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri pursuant to Rule 5.30(c). Informal opinion summaries are advisory in nature and are not binding. These opinions are published as an educational service and do not constitute legal advice.

To request an Informal Opinion, please visit: https://mo-legal-ethics.org/for lawyers/requesting-an-informal-advisory-opinion/.