QUESTION: Office manager of a law firm wants to set up a separate business which would be run out of the same space as the law firm. The business would be a placement service for law firm support staff. The placement would be permanent (not a temporary service). The fee would be a flat fee paid by the employer. ANSWER: The proposed arrangement would not violate the rules. Care should be taken to ensure confidentiality of the law firm´s records. Steps should be taken to make sure that all signs, etc. reflect the separateness of the two businesses.

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/.

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