Informal Advisory Opinions Search

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.

 

Request an Informal Opinion

View Formal Opinions

View Resource Pages

Rules of Professional Conduct – Browse By Rule Number

Browse By Subject

Browse By Year

Opinion Number: 2025-04
Adoption Date: May 2, 2025
Rules: 4-1.5; 4-1.8; 4-1.15
Subject: Fees - Generally; Trust Accounts and Safekeeping Property
Summary: lawyer may accept cryptocurrency payment only for earned fees that are not to be placed in client trust account
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2025-03
Adoption Date: May 2, 2025
Rules: 4-7.3
Subject: Advertising and Solicitation; Reporting Misconduct of Another Lawyer
Summary: SSM messages, or similar text messages, prohibited for solicitation pursuant to Rule 4-7.3
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2025-02
Adoption Date: May 2, 2025
Rules: 4-8.3
Subject: Misconduct - Generally; Reporting Misconduct of Another Lawyer
Summary: timing of report to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel of misconduct of another lawyer
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2025-01
Adoption Date: May 2, 2025
Rules: 4-1.22; 4-1.0
Subject: Client Files; Retirement (see also Inactive Status or Of Counsel)
Summary: handling client files upon retirement; handling client files upon leaving the practice of law
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-13
Adoption Date: August 8, 2024
Rules: 4-8.5
Subject: Choice of Law
Summary: lawyer should consider choice of law when practicing pro hac vice in another jurisdiction
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-12
Adoption Date: August 8, 2024
Rules: 4-5.5
Subject: Retirement (see also Inactive Status or Of Counsel); Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
Summary: retiring lawyer winding up practice from another state
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-11
Adoption Date: April 25, 2024
Rules: 4-1.1, 4-1.6, 4-3.3, 4-3.4, 4-5.1, 4-5.3, 4-5.4
Subject: Candor to the Court or Tribunal; Competence; Confidentiality; Supervision of Nonlawyers
Summary: lawyer’s use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-10
Adoption Date: April 25, 2024
Rules: 4-1.0; 4-1.6; 4-8.3; Court Operating Rule 2.02
Subject: Confidentiality; Misconduct - Generally; Redaction; Reporting Misconduct of Another Lawyer
Summary: redaction requirements and duty to report professional misconduct
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-09
Adoption Date: April 25, 2024
Rules: 4-1.1, 4-1.4, 4-1.6, 4-3.4, 4-5.3; Court Operating Rule 2.02
Subject: Competence; Meritorious Claims or Contentions; Redaction; Supervision of Nonlawyers
Summary: competence and supervision issued related to redaction requirements
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-08
Adoption Date: April 25, 2024
Rules: 4-3.1, 4-3.4, 4-4.4; Court Operating Rule 2.02
Subject: Misconduct - Conduct Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice; Redaction; Respect for Rights of Third Persons
Summary: redaction by lawyer when meritorious claim or contention information is subject to redaction requirements
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-07
Adoption Date: April 25, 2024
Rules: 4-1.1, 4-3.1, 4-3.4, 4-4.4, 4-8.4; Court Operating Rule 2.02
Subject: Competence; Misconduct - Conduct Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice; Redaction; Respect for Rights of Third Persons
Summary: over redaction as failure to comply with Court rules and/or lack of competence
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-06
Adoption Date: January 23, 2024
Rules: 4-1.18; 4-1.22; 4-1.15; 4-1.16; Scope [17]
Subject: Client Files; Declining Representation (see also Withdrawal from Representation); Prospective Client (see also Conflict of Interest - Prospective Client); Trust Accounts and Safekeeping Property
Summary: Prospective client entitled to return of papers and properties provided to lawyer during initial consultation; prospective client not entitled to client file if representation is declined
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-05
Adoption Date: January 23, 2024
Rules: 4-5.5; 4-8.5
Subject: Choice of Law; Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
Summary: Out-of-state lawyer reviewing purchase documents
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-04
Adoption Date: January 23, 2024
Rules: 4-5.5; 9.03
Subject: Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law; Visiting Attorney Appearing in a Particular Case (a.k.a. Pro Hac Vice)
Summary: Out-of-state lawyer representing client in deposition for lawsuit pending in Missouri; pro hac vice admission for a visiting attorney in a particular case
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-03
Adoption Date: January 23, 2024
Rules: 4-5.5
Subject: Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
Summary: Virtual practice of law of another jurisdiction from Missouri, but not licensed in Missouri; Missouri license required
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-02
Adoption Date: January 23, 2024
Rules: 4-5.5; 8.105; 8
Subject: In-House Counsel; Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
Summary: Virtual practice by in-house counsel located outside Missouri for corporation located in Missouri; Missouri license required
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2024-01
Adoption Date: January 23, 2024
Rules: 4-7.5; 4-7.1
Subject: Advertising and Solicitation; Firm Names; Retirement (see also Inactive Status or Of Counsel)
Summary: Law firm name and retirement of lawyer
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2023-10
Adoption Date: October 18, 2023
Rules: 4-1.4, 4-1.6, 4-2.1, and 4-8.4(d)
Subject: Litigation Loans
Summary: litigation loans pursuant to the Missouri Consumer Legal Funding Act
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2023-09
Adoption Date: July 27, 2023
Rules: 4-1.15; 4-1.6
Subject: Trust Accounts and Safekeeping Property
Summary: lawyers may not use third-party payment programs where advanced paid legal fees or expenses are not deposited directly in a client trust account
View Opinion
Opinion Number: 2023-08
Adoption Date: July 27, 2023
Rules: 4-1.8
Subject: Business Transaction with Client (see also Conflict of Interest - Prohibited Transactions); Conflict of Interest - Prohibited Transactions (see also Business Transaction with Client)
Summary: lawyer may be named as successor trustee in estate planning documents prepared by lawyer so long as lawyer complies with requirements of Rule 4-1.8(a)
View Opinion