Could a lawyer list professional and fraternal organization memberships in advertising?

Short answer The opinion said yes, while flagging Rule 7.4 and the possibility that the listing could imply specialization.

Bar

MOLEC

Issued

1993

Apply this to your situation

This page answers the general question as of 1993. Ask about yours and see what the current Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct say for your facts, with citations.

How much weight this carries: Under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.30, formal opinions are binding; informal opinions are advisory. Source.

About this page: The plain-English summary, reader guidance, and Q&A below were written by Ezel based on the official ethics opinion. The original opinion (linked on this page) is the authoritative source for any reliance.

Plain-English summary

A lawyer asked whether advertising could include memberships in professional and fraternal organizations.

The opinion said yes, but called for special attention to Rule 7.4 and the possibility that an advertisement might imply specialization.

Currency note

This 1993 opinion predates Missouri's 2007 amendments to its Rules of Professional Conduct. An official reference note identifies July 1, 2007 amendments to Rules 4-1.9 and 4-1.10. Subsequent rule amendments or later opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context and verify current rules before relying on it.

Common questions

Q: Were those memberships permitted in advertising?

A: Yes, according to the opinion.

Q: What concern did it identify?

A: The possible implication of specialization under Rule 7.4.

Background and rules framework

The opinion addressed organization-membership claims in lawyer advertising and cited Rule 7.4.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

Missouri Rule 7.4

Source

Landing page: https://mo-legal-ethics.org/informal-opinion/930087/

Original opinion text

Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.

QUESTION: May attorney include membership in professional and fraternal organizations in advertising? ANSWER: Yes. Special attention should be given to Rule 7.4 and the possibility that specialization might be implied.

What do the rules say today, for your facts?

This opinion is from 1993. Ezel checks the current Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct against your situation and cites the rules it relies on.

Opens in Ezel Pro.

Checks the law as it stands today, not only this page
Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
Chat, drafting and research in one workspace