Reference Note: Effective July 1, 2007, Rule 4-1.18, Duties to Prospective Client, was adopted, and amended effective Sep. 26, 2017.  Rule 4-1.18 and Comment [2] also would govern this question and should be consulted with this opinion.

QUESTION: Attorney proposes to set up a website and include the website address on Attorney´s letterhead. The website address will include reference to a specific area of practice. The website itself will invite people to e-mail Attorney regarding matters in that area of practice. Attorney also proposes to include the e-mail address on letterhead.
ANSWER: Based on the information Attorney has provided, the actions Attorney proposes will not violate the Rules of Professional Conduct. In light of the fact that Attorney will be soliciting potential clients to contact Attorney by e-mail regarding legal matters, Attorney should include on the website a cautionary statement that communication by e-mail is not necessarily secure and confidential.

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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