QUESTION: Attorney would like to office share with a CPA firm. May Attorney do so if Attorney´s files will be segregated within Attorney´s own space in the suite? May Attorney use or share the secretarial staff? ANSWER: Attorney may have an office sharing arrangement with the CPA firm as long as all signs, and other ways in which Attorney´s practice is held out to the public, clearly indicate that Attorney is separate. Attorney must not only make certain that Attorney´s files are segregated but that they are secure from unauthorized people. Attorney may use or share the secretarial staff as long as Attorney can implement adequate measures to ensure confidentiality.

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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