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 93-26
Rule 1.12 does not allow lawyer A to represent a party in a dispute over an alleged violation of an order entered by the lawyer when he was a family court judge unless all parties to the proceeding consent after disclosure.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 93-25
Rule 1.11 and Rule 1.7(b) preclude such representation if the representation is limited by the lawyer or firm's responsibility to other clients or third parties.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 93-24
Lawyer X's "work for the residents of South Carolina" would appear to constitute the unauthorized practice of law in this state. South Carolina lawyers are barred by Rule of Professional Conduct 5.5 from assisting in the unauthorized practice of law. South Carolina lawyers are also barred from splitting fees with non-lawyers.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 93-23
Law Firm after consultation with Borrower may limit the objectives and scope of its representation to those matters necessary to close the real estate transaction and may obtain the written consent of Borrower prior to the closing to represent Lender in future disputes which may arise between Lender and Borrower.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 93-22
Charges prosecuted in the municipal court would only be brought by municipal police officers. Therefore, the attorney would be allowed to defend clients in the municipal courts of his county.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 93-21
It would not be proper for the attorney to initiate a call to such prospective clients who have not called his office.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 93-20
If the plaintiff's lawyer believes that the defendant's lawyer is asking the plaintiff to refrain from voluntarily giving relevant information to another party, then it would be a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct for the plaintiff's attorney to advise his client to "not voluntarily testify" in the remaining actions under the facts of this inquiry.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 93-19
A lawyer may represent a client in an action against a former client without the former client's consent where, as here, the contested matter is not the same or substantially related.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 93-18
Jane Doe, the spouse of the sheriff department's narcotics investigator, may serve as chief investigator in the public defender's office so long as Jane Doe does not assist or have access to information from lawyers directly adverse to parties under investigation by her spouse's division.
Ethics Advisory Opinion 93-17
As with any other advertising text, the lyrics of musical jingles in lawyer advertising must not contain false or misleading statements or violate regulations regarding the characterization of a lawyer as a specialist, expert, or authority.