Ezel / Ethics Opinions / MOLEC

May a lawyer give an informational industry seminar with the firm name in course and promotional materials?

Short answer On the general facts supplied, the opinion finds no rule violation, but classifies seminar materials bearing the firm’s name and address as advertising subject to Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.5 and any applicable disclaimers.
Bar
MOLEC
Issued
1996

Apply this to your situation

This page answers the general question as of 1996. 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 proposed an informational seminar for an industry, with the firm’s name in course and promotional materials.

The opinion finds no violation on the general facts provided but warns that additional facts could change the result. Materials distributed at the meeting bearing the firm name and address count as advertising and must comply with the cited advertising-rule range and any applicable disclaimer.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1996, before Missouri’s 2007 revisions to the Rules of Professional Conduct. 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: Did the opinion approve the seminar on the facts given?

A: Yes, subject to its warning that additional facts could change the answer.

Q: How did it classify materials showing the firm name and address?

A: As advertising materials subject to Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.5.

Background and rules framework

The answer cites the Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.5 range for the firm-branded materials.

Citations and references

Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct:

  • Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.5

See also

Source

Original opinion text

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

QUESTION: Attorney will be giving a seminar for people in a particular industry. The seminar is intended to be informational in nature. Course materials and promotional material will include the name of Attorney´s firm. Will this violate the rules? ANSWER: Based on the general information provided, Attorney´s proposed conduct will not violate the Rules of Professional Conduct. Any additional facts could change the opinion. Attorney should be aware that the materials distributed at the meeting with the name and address of Attorney´s firm would be considered advertising materials. Therefore, those materials must comply with the requirements of Rules 4–7.1 – 4–7.5, including any disclaimer requirements that might apply.

What do the rules say today, for your facts?

This opinion is from 1996. Ezel checks the current Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct against your situation and cites the rules it relies on.

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