The Ethics Hotline is a confidential research service for attorneys seeking guidance on their professional responsibilities.
To receive immediate research assistance, call the Ethics Hotline at 1-800-238-4427 (in California) or 415-538-2150. The Ethics Hotline is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–noon PT to speak with a live agent. Ethics Hotline staff are also available Monday through Friday from noon to 4:00 p.m. to address Ethics Hotline Research Assistance Request Form submissions. An Ethics Hotline staff member will call you regarding you request form within 1-2 business days. The request form inbox is monitored daily by Ethics Hotline staff and call backs are returned in the order received.
If this is a time-sensitive matter, involving potential imminent physical harm or if you are in court and a judge needs a response immediately, call 415-538-2148.
Staff members who answer the hotline cannot provide legal counsel, advice, or opinions. But they can discuss issues and authorities with you. By referring callers to statutes, rules, cases, and State Bar opinions, staff members strive to assist you in reaching informed decisions about their professional responsibility questions.
If you have already called the Ethics Hotline, we value your feedback. Please complete the Hotline Satisfaction Survey.
You may subscribe to the Office of Professional Competence's email list to receive notifications regarding the work of our office, including the circulation of ethics opinions and rules for public comment, publications, educational events, and more.