Could a former judge returning to law practice state retired-judge status on cards or letterhead?

Plain-English summary

A former judge returning to practice asked whether business cards and letterhead could identify the lawyer as a retired judge.

The opinion answered yes. It said the office could not opine on the Code of Judicial Conduct and referred that separate question to the judicial commission.

Currency note

This 1994 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: Could the retired-judge status appear on cards or letterhead?

A: Yes, under the opinion's lawyer-ethics answer.

Q: Did the opinion resolve judicial-conduct rules?

A: No. It directed the lawyer to the judicial commission for that question.

Background and rules framework

The opinion answered the lawyer-practice materials question but expressly left any Code of Judicial Conduct issue outside its scope. It cited no numbered lawyer rule.

Citations and references

Judicial conduct rules:

• Code of Judicial Conduct (question expressly left undecided)

See also

• Missouri Informal Op. 950140: Of counsel title at business
• Missouri Informal Op. 950076: Prosecutor and judge roles

Source

• Landing page: https://mo-legal-ethics.org/informal-opinion/940197/

Original opinion text

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

QUESTION: Attorney is a former judge who is returning to the practice of law. May Attorney indicate Attorney´s status as a retired judge on business cards, letterhead, etc.?

ANSWER: Yes, however this office cannot give an opinion regarding the Code of Judicial Conduct. Attorney should contact the judicial commission for an opinion from that perspective.