The South Carolina Bar Ethics Advisory Committee provides the full text of all ethics opinions since 1990 online. To find the opinion you need, simply use the search form below.
The opinions in this database contain the advice of the Committee based on the state of the law at the time of each opinion. Opinions are not updated to reflect changes in the Rules of Professional Conduct, more recent opinions, or other law. Further research may be necessary. Earlier opinions are available through vLex Fastcase.
Frequently Asked Questions are also available.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-28
For the purpose of this opinion, we assume that the wholly-owned subsidiary will be owed solely by attorneys. It is ethically permissible for the law firm to form a subsidiary to provide legal services. Both the law firm and the subsidiary will be bound by Rules 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 when advertising the services of subsidiary.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-27
A lawyer may offer a coupon or discount fee for legal services so long as such an offer is not misleading or inaccurate.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-26
An attorney may enter into a business transaction with a client if he or she satisfies the requirements of Rule 1.8 (a) (1) (2) and (3), and further considers the propriety of a transaction between the attorney and the client, which might impair the exercise of independent professional judgment on the part of the attorney.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-25
There is no general ethical prohibition against collecting a fee by suing on a note, and foreclosing a mortgage, given to secure the fee. However, a lawyer may not obtain a security interest in property as long as that property is the subject matter of domestic litigation.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-22
If there is sufficient separation of duties, case load, and employees between the former PD and the PD office's representation of the defendant that is the subject of the PCR proceeding, then automatic per se disqualification would not apply.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-21
A lawyer who has been appointed as conservator for a ward may not act as attorney for the ward even with court approval.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-20
The requirements of Rule 7.3(c) apply to the contents of both the letter and the videotape, and the specific language required to be included by the rule must be included in each.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-15
There is no conflict of interest when a Legal Services Program interviews both a Husband and Wife separately regarding a divorce, and refers each client to different panel attorneys which have no professional relationship, so long as there is no chance that either attorney has access to the files regarding the opposition client through the Legal Services Program.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-14
Jane Doe, a member of the bar, whose practice has not required her to practice in the court of a retired municipal judge, who has no attorney-client relationship with the retired judge and who is not and will not be involved either in the Grand Jury activities that may subject him to indictment or in his defense, is not barred by an ethical rule from establishing and serving as the trustee of a Legal Defense Fund for the retired judge's benefit.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 96-13
A lawyer may employ the services of an independent paralegal assistance service provided the lawyer adequately supervises the work of the paralegals and remains responsible for their work product.