Informal Opinion Number: 990106

QUESTION: Attorney´s firm has been asked to represent a client in a legal matter involving litigation against an agency of the state of Missouri. Attorney´s firm has represented another agency of the state of Missouri for a number of years. Would it be a conflict of interest for Attorney´s firm to represent the client in its claim when Attorney´s firm has represented and continues to represent a separate agency in state government? ANSWER: If the state of Missouri, or one of its agencies, is a current client of Attorney´s firm, Attorney has a conflict of interest which prohibits Attorney from representing another client against the state or one of its agencies

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/.

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