980022 | Office of Legal Ethics Counsel & Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri

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Informal Opinion Number: 980022

Rules: 4-9.1; 4-7.2

Lawyer Referral and Information Services

Reference Note: Effective July 1, 2007, Rule 4-10.1 was repealed and Rule 4-9.1 was amended. This opinion is based on Rule 4-10.1 in effect prior to that date.

QUESTION: Attorney was contacted by a group wanting to provide pre-paid legal services to its members in Missouri. Is it ethical for Attorney to participate in the plan?

ANSWER: Based upon our analysis it appears that the plan is in reality a referral service, and is not registered as a Lawyer Referral Service under Rule 4-10.1. Therefore, Attorney would violate Rule 4-7.2(c) by participating.

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/.