940048 | Office of Legal Ethics Counsel & Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri

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Informal Opinion Number: 940048

Rules: 7.1;7.5(f);365.071

Information About Legal Services

Communication Concerning a Lawyer´s Services

QUESTION: Attorney plans to convert the law practice to a professional corporation from a sole proprietorship. Attorney would like to continue to use Attorney´s name without the designation “P.C.” on the letterhead and advertising. Attorney would register Attorney´s individual name as a fictitious name. ANSWER: This would violate Rules 4-7.1 and 4-7.5(f) in light of the requirement of section 356.071, RSMo Supp. 1993.

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: http://mo-legal-ethics.org/for lawyers/requesting-an-informal-advisory-opinion/.