chevron-down Created with Sketch Beta.

    Index by Issue Dates

    The most recent opinions issued within the past year are available complimentary.

    The following is the index of the Formal Ethics Opinions of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility that can be purchased through the ABA bookstore.  The opinions that have been withdrawn and are no longer available for purchase are 94-382, 93-372, and 92-368

    Opinion collections are also available for purchase:

    • 1999-2013 - $67.95 Center members/$84.95 regular

    For an additional resource, links to the Model Rules referenced in ABA ethics opinions can be found here.

    2023

    • Formal Opinion 507
      July 12, 2023
      Office Sharing Arrangements with Other Lawyers
    • Formal Opinion 506
      June 7, 2023
      Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants
    • Formal Opinion 505
      May 3, 2023
      Choice of Law
    • Formal Opinion 504
      March 1, 2023
      Choice of Law

    2022

    • Formal Opinion 503
      November 2, 2022
      "Reply All" in electronic Commuincation
    • Formal Opinion 502
      September 28, 2022
      Communication with a Represented Person by a Pro Se Lawyer
    • Formal Opinion 501
      April 13, 2022
      Solicitation

    2021

    • Formal Opinion 500
      October 6, 2021
      Language Access in the Client Lawyer Relationship
    • Formal Opinion 499
      September 8, 2021
      Passive Investment in Alternative Business Structures
    • Formal Opinion 498
      March 10, 2021
      Virtual Practice 
    • Formal Opinion 497
      February 10, 2021
      Conflicts Involving Materially Adverse Interests
    • Formal Opinion 496
      January 13, 2021
      Responding to Online Criticism

    2020

    • Formal Opinion 495:
      December 16, 2020
      Lawyers Working Remotely
    • Formal Opinion 494:
      July 29, 2020
      Conflicts Arising Out of a Lawyer’s Personal Relationship with Opposing Counsel
    • Formal Opinion 493:
      July 15, 2020
      Model Rule 8.4(g): Purpose, Scope, and Application
    • Formal Opinion 492:
      June 9, 2020
      Obligations to Prospective Clients: Confidentiality, Conflicts and “Significantly Harmful” Information
    • Formal Opinion 491:
      April 29, 2020
      Obligations Under Rule 1.2(d) to Avoid Counseling or Assisting in a Crime or Fraud in Non-Litigation Settings
    • Formal Opinion 490:
      March 24, 2020
      Ethical Obligations of Judges in Collecting Legal Financial Obligations and Other Debts

    2019

    • Formal Opinion 489:
      December 4, 2019
      Obligations Related to Notice When Lawyers Change Firms
    • Formal Opinion 488:
      September 5, 2019
      Judges’ Social or Close Personal Relationships with Lawyers or Parties as Grounds for Disqualification or Disclosure
    • Formal Opinion 487:
      June 18, 2019
      Fee Division with Client’s Prior Counsel
    • Formal Opinion 486:
      May 9, 2019
      Obligations of Prosecutors in Negotiating Plea Bargains for Misdemeanor Offenses
    • Formal Opinion 485:
      February 14, 2019
      Judges Performing Same-Sex Marriage

    2018

    • Formal Opinion 484:
      November 27, 2018
      A Lawyer's Obligations When Clients Use Companies or Brokers to Finance the Lawyer's Fee
    • Formal Opinion 483:
      October 17, 2018
      Lawyers' Obligations After an Electronic Data Breach or Cyberattack
    • Formal Opinion 482:
      September 19, 2018
      Ethical Obligations Related to Disasters
    • Formal Opinion 481:
      April 17, 2018
      A Lawyer's Duty to Inform a Current or Former Client of the Lawyer's Material Error
    • Formal Opinion 480:
      March 6, 2018
      Confidentiality Obligations for Lawyer Blogging and Other Public Commentary

    2017

    • Formal Opinion 479:
      December 15, 2017
      The "Generally Known" Exception to Former-Client Confidentiality
    • Formal Opinion 478:
      December 8, 2017
      Independent FActual Research by Judges Via the Internet
    • Formal Opinion 477:
      May 11, 2017
      Securing Communication of Protected Client Information

    2016

    • Formal Opinion 476
      December 19, 2016 
      Confidentiality Issues when Moving to Withdraw for Nonpayment of Fees in Civil Litigation
    • Formal Opinion 475
      December 7, 2016 
      Safeguarding Fees That Are Subject to Division With Other Counsel
    • Formal Opinion 474
      April 21, 2016 
      Referral Fees and Conflicts of Interest
    • Formal Opinion 473
      February 17, 2016 
      Obligations Upon Receiving a Subpoena or Other Compulsory Process for Client Documents or Information

    2015

    • Formal Opinion 472
      November 30, 2015 
      Communication with Person Receiving Limited-Scope Legal Services
    • Formal Opinion 471
      July 1, 2015 
      Ethical Obligations of Lawyer to Surrender Papers and Property to which Former Client is Entitled
    • Formal Opinion 470
      May 20, 2015 
      Judicial Encouragement of Pro Bono Service

    2014

    • Formal Opinion 469
      November 12, 2014 
      Prosecutors and Debt Collection Companies
    • Formal Opinion 468
      October 4, 2014 
      Facilitating the Sale of a Law Practice
    • Formal Opinion 467
      September 8, 2014 
      Managerial and Supervisory Obligations of Prosecutors Under Rules 5.1 and 5.3
    • Formal Opinion 466
      April 24, 2014
      Lawyers’ Reviewing Jurors' Internet Presence

    2013

    • Formal Opinion 465
      October 21, 2013
      Lawyers’ Use of Deal-of-the-Day Marketing Programs
    • Formal Opinion 464
      August 19, 2013
      Division of Legal Fees With Other Lawyers Who May Lawfully Share Fees With Nonlawyers
    • Formal Opinion 463
      May 23, 2013
      Client Due Diligence, Money Laundering, and Terrorist Financing
    • Formal Opinion 11-462
      February 21, 2013
      Judge’s Use of Electronic Social Networking Media

    2011

    • Formal Opinion 11-461
      August 4, 2011
      Advising Clients Regarding Direct Contacts with Represented Persons
    • Formal Opinion 11-460
      August 4, 2011
      Duty when Lawyer Receives Copies of a Third Party’s E-mail Communications with Counsel
    • Formal Opinion 11-459
      August 4, 2011
      Duty to Protect the Confidentiality of E-mail Communications with One’s Client

    2010

    • Formal Opinion 10-457
      August 5, 2010
      Lawyer Websites
    • Formal Opinion 10-456
      July 14, 2010
      Disclosure of Information to Prosecutor When Lawyer's Former Client Brings Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim Between Law Firms

    2009

    • Formal Opinion 09-455
      October 8, 2009
      Disclosure of Conflicts Information When Lawyers Move Between Law Firms
    • Formal Opinion 09-454
      July 8, 2009
      Prosecutor’s Duty to Disclose Evidence and Information Favorable to the Defense

    2008

    • Formal Opinion 08-453
      November 19, 2008
      In-House Consulting on Ethical Issues
    • Formal Opinion 08-452
      October 17, 2008
      Judges Soliciting Contributions for “Therapeutic” or “Problem-solving” Courts
    • Formal Opinion 08-451
      August 5, 2008
      Lawyer’s Obligations When Outsourcing Legal and Nonlegal Support Services
    • Formal Opinion 08-450
      April 9, 2008
      Confidentiality When Lawyer Represents Multiple Clients in the Same or Related Matters

    2007

    • Formal Opinion 07-449
      August 9, 2007
      Lawyer Concurrently Representing Judge and Litigant Before the Judge in Unrelated Matters
    • Formal Opinion 07-448
      October 20, 2007
      Appointed Counsel's Relationship to a Person Who Declines to be Represented
    • Formal Opinion 07-447
      August 9 , 2007
      Ethical Considerations in Collaborative Law Practice
    • Formal Opinion 07-446
      May 5, 2007
      Undisclosed Legal Assistance to Pro Se Litigants
    • Formal Opinion 07-445
      April 11, 2007
      Contact by Counsel with Putative Members of Class Prior to Class Certification

    2006

    • Formal Opinion 06-444
      September 13, 2006
      Permissibility Of Restrictive Covenants In Lawyer Agreements Concerning Benefits Upon Retirement
    • Formal Opinion 06-443
      August 5, 2006
      Contact With Inside Counsel of an Organization Regarding a Matter When the Organization is Represented in the Matter by Outside Counsel
    • Formal Opinion 06-442
      August 5, 2006
      Review and Use of Metadata
    • Formal Opinion 06-441
      May 13, 2006
      Ethical Obligations of Lawyers Who Represent Indigent Criminal Defendants When Excessive Caseloads Interfere With Competent and Diligent Representation (a service to the public defender community).
    • Formal Opinion 06-440
      May 13, 2006
      Unsolicited Receipt of Privileged or Confidential Materials: Withdrawal of Formal Opinion 94-382 (July 5, 1994)
    • Formal Opinion 06-439
      April 12, 2006
      Lawyer’s Obligation of Truthfulness When Representing a Client in Negotiation: Application to Caucused Mediation
    • Formal Opinion 06-438
      February 10, 2006
      Lawyer Proposing to Make or Accept an Aggregate Settlement or Aggregated Agreement

    2005

    • Formal Opinion 05-437
      October 1, 2005
      Inadvertent Disclosure of Confidential Materials:
      Withdrawal of Formal Opinion 92-368 (November 10, 1992)
    • Formal Opinion 05-436
      May 11, 2005
      Informed Consent to Future Conflicts of Interest;
      Withdrawal of Formal Opinion 93-37
    • Formal Opinion 05-435
      December 8, 2004
      Ethical Obligations of a Lawyer Who Represents a Liability Insurer Named in Litigation Who Simultaneously Represents a Client Against an Insured of the Liability Insurer
    • Formal Opinion 05-434
      December 8, 2004
      Lawyer Retained by Testator to Disinherit Beneficiary that Lawyer Represents on Unrelated Matters

    2004

    • Formal Opinion 04-433
      August 25, 2004
      Obligation of a Lawyer to Report Professional Misconduct by a Lawyer Not Engaged in the Practice of Law
    • Formal Opinion 04-432
      January 14, 2004
      Lawyer Arranging or Posting Bail for a Client

    2003

    • Formal Opinion 03-431
      August 8, 2003
      Lawyer's Duty to Report Rule Violations by Another Lawyer Who May Suffer from Disability or Impairment
    • Formal Opinion 03-430
      July 9, 2003
      Propriety of Insurance Staff Counsel Representing the Insurance Company and Its Insureds; Permissible Names for an Association of Insurance Staff Counsel
    • Formal Opinion 03-429
      June 11, 2003
      Obligations With Respect to Mentally Impaired Lawyer in the Firm

    2002

    • Formal Opinion 02-428
      August 9, 2002
      Drafting Will on Recommendation of Potential Beneficiary Who Also is Client
    • Formal Opinion 02-427
      May 31, 2002
      Contractual Security Interest Obtained by a Lawyer to Secure Payment of a Fee
    • Formal Opinion 02-426
      May 31, 2002
      Lawyer Serving as Fiduciary for an Estate or Trust
    • Formal Opinion 02-425
      February 20, 2002
      Retainer Agreement Requiring the Arbitration of Fee Disputes and Malpractice Claims

    2001

    • Formal Opinion 01-424
      September 22, 2001
      A Former In-House Lawyer May Pursue a Wrongful Discharge Claim Against Her Former Employer and Client As Long As Client Information Properly Is Protected
    • Formal Opinion 01-423
      September 22, 2001
      Forming Partnerships With Foreign Lawyers
    • Formal Opinion 01-422
      June 24, 2001
      Electronic Recordings by Lawyers Without the Knowledge of All Participants
    • Formal Opinion 01-421
      February 16, 2001
      Ethical Obligations of a Lawyer Working Under Insurance Company Guidelines and Other Restrictions

    2000

    • Formal Opinion 00-420
      November 29, 2000
      Surcharge to Client for Use of a Contract Lawyer
    • Formal Opinion 00-419 - (in its entirety) July 7, 2000
      Use of Credit Cards for Payment of Legal Fees;
      Withdrawal of Formal Opinions 320 (1968) and 338 (1974) and Informal Opinions 1120 (1969) and 1176 (1971)
    • Formal Opinion 00-418
      July 7, 2000
      Acquiring Ownership in a Client in Connection with Performing Legal Services
    • Formal Opinion 00-417
      April 7, 2000
      Settement Terms Limiting a Lawyer's Use of Information
    • Formal Opinion 00-416
      April 7, 2000
      Lawyer's Purchase of Accounts Receivable from Client

    1999

    1998

    • Formal Opinion 98-412
      September 9, 1998
      Disclosure Obligations of a Lawyer Who Discovers That Her Client Has Violated a Court Order During Litigation
    • Formal Opinion 98-411
      August 30, 1998
      Ethical Issues in Lawyer-to-Lawyer Consultation
    • Formal Opinion 98-410
      February 27, 1998
      Lawyer Serving as Director of Client Corporation

    1997

    1996

    • Formal Opinion 96-404
      August 2, 1996
      Client Under a Disability
    • Formal Opinion 96-403
      August 2, 1996
      Obligations of a Lawyer Representing an Insured Who Objects to a Proposed Settlement within Policy Limits
    • Formal Opinion 96-402
      August 2, 1996
      Propriety of Payments to Occurrence Witnesses
    • Formal Opinion 96-401
      August 2, 1996
      Lawyers Practicing in Limited Liability Partnerships
    • Formal Opinion 96-400
      January 24, 1996
      Job Negotiations with Adverse Firm or Party
    • Formal Opinion 96-399
      January 18, 1996
      Ethical Obligations of Lawyers Whose Employers Receive Funds from the Legal Services Corporation to their Existing and Future Clients when Such Funding is Reduced and when Remaining Funding is Subject to Restrictive Conditions

    1995

    • Formal Opinion 95-394
      July 24, 1995
      Settlement Agreement Restricting Lawyer's Right to Undertake Other Representations Against a Government Agency
    • Formal Opinion 95-393
      April 24, 1995
      Disclosure of Client Files to Non-Lawyer Supervisors
    • Formal Opinion 95-392
      April 24, 1995
      Sharing Legal Fees with a For-Profit Corporate Employer
    • Formal Opinion 95-391
      April 24, 1995
      Use of the Title "Judge" by Former Judge in the Practice of Law
    • Formal Opinion 95-390
      January 25, 1995
      Conflicts of Interest in the Corporate Family Context

    1994

    1993

    1992

    1991

    1990

    • Formal Opinion 90-358
      September 13, 1990
      Protection of Information Imparted by Prospective Client
    • Formal Opinion 90-357
      May 10, 1990
      Use of Designation "Of Counsel"; Withdrawal of Formal Opinion 330 (1972) and Informal Opinions 678 (1963), 710 (1964), 1134 (1969), 1173 (1971), 1189 (1971) and 1246 (1972)

    1988

    1987

    1985

    1984

    • Formal Opinion 84-351
      October 20, 1984
      Letterhead Designation of 'Affiliated' or 'Associated' Law Firms
    • Formal Opinion 84-350
      May 7, 1984
      Communications With Adverse Parties; Withdrawal of Formal Opinion 75 (1932) and Informal Opinions C-426 (1961), 524 (1962), 1140 (1970) and 1255 (1972)
    • Formal Opinion 84-349
      May 7, 1984
      Lawyer Confidentiality; Withdrawal of Formal Opinions 155 (1936) and 156 (1936)