QUESTION: Attorney is a member of one firm and will be “of counsel” to another firm. The two firms share office space and some equipment, otherwise they are separate. Does this violate the Rules of Professional Conduct? ANSWER: In order to avoid violating Rule 4-7.1 attorney would need to identify both firms with which the attorney is connected on each firm´s letterhead and other forms of communication to the public and other law firms. The two firms will be considered as one for conflicts purposes.

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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