20060005 | Office of Legal Ethics Counsel & Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri

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Informal Opinion Number: 20060005

Rules: 4–7.2

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Advertising

Subject: Advertising and Solicitation

Summary: required statement on website

QUESTION: Rule 4 dash–7.2(f) states that advertisements or communications must conspicuously contain the statement: “The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.” Attorney has a website and a small listing in the Yellow Pages. Does the information referred to in Attorney’s website and Yellow Page ad need to contain the statement set forth in Rule 4 dash–7.2(f)?ANSWER: Rule 4 dash–7.2(f) applies to websites. Websites are considered advertising. It is not necessary to include the Rule 4 dash–7.2(f) statement in a print ad or website that is limited to the information listed in Rule 4 dash–7.2(g). Rule 4 dash–7.2(g) exempts an advertisement from 4 dash–7.2(f) if it is limited to some or all of the following:(1) the name of the law firm and the names of lawyers in the firm;(2) one or more fields of law in which the lawyer or law firm practices;(3) the date and place of admission to the bar of state and federal courts; and(4) the address, including e-mail and web site address, telephone number, and office hours.

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.

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