Could an inactive retired Missouri lawyer use a social calling card identifying as a 'Retired (Inactive) Attorney'?
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This page answers the general question as of 2026. Ask about yours and see what the current Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
An inactive retired lawyer proposed a card for social interactions rather than legal business. It included a residential address, personal telephone number, personal email address, a scales-of-justice symbol, and the phrase “Retired (Inactive) Attorney.”
Rules 6.03 and 6.05 prohibited an inactive lawyer from engaging in unauthorized law practice. Rule 4-7.1 prohibited false or misleading communications about a lawyer's services.
Because the proposed wording clearly disclosed both retirement and inactive status, the office found it accurate and appropriate for social use.
In practice
The opinion's approval turned on the explicit status wording and the card's social use. It did not authorize legal practice by the inactive lawyer.
Common questions
Q: What wording did the opinion approve?
A: “Retired (Inactive) Attorney.”
Q: Could the card contain personal contact information?
A: Yes. The proposed card included the lawyer's residential address, personal phone, and personal email.
Q: Could it use a scales-of-justice symbol?
A: Yes. That symbol was part of the card the opinion found appropriate.
Q: Did the opinion allow the inactive lawyer to practice?
A: No. It expressly referenced the prohibition on unauthorized practice.
Background and rules framework
Rules 6.03 and 6.05 governed inactive status and unauthorized practice. Rule 4-7.1 governed false or misleading communications concerning lawyer services.
Citations and references
Missouri Rules:
- Rules 6.03 and 6.05
- Rule 4-7.1
See also
- Missouri Formal Op. 123: Secret recording
- Nebraska Ethics Op. 78-5: Suspended lawyer work
- Nebraska Ethics Op. 96-1: Suspended lawyer as paralegal
Source
- Landing page: Missouri Informal Opinion 2026-08
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Question: Lawyer is retired and wishes to create a business card to use for social interactions, more as a calling or visiting card. Lawyer’s license is on inactive status. On that card, it states that Lawyer is a “Retired (Inactive) Attorney.” The card contains Lawyer’s residential address, personal phone number, personal email, and has the symbol of the Scales of Justice. Lawyer asks whether this would be appropriate under the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct.
Answer: If Lawyer has retired and placed Lawyer’s license on inactive status, per Rule 6.03, Lawyer is prohibited from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law per Rule 6.05. Rule 4–7.1 – Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services – prohibits a lawyer from making false or misleading statements about a lawyer’s services. Since Lawyer clarified that Lawyer is a “Retired (Inactive) Attorney” on this card, it is the informal advisory opinion of this office that this is not false or misleading under Rule 4–7.1 and is appropriate for social interactions.
What do the rules say today, for your facts?
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