Ethics Opinions

Below are links to the full text of ethics opinions issued by the State Bar of California Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct.

These advisory opinions regarding the ethical propriety of hypothetical attorney conduct, although not binding, are often cited in the decisions of the Supreme Court, the State Bar Court Review Department and the Court of Appeal.

The Ethics Hotline, a telephone research service to assist attorneys with questions relating to their ethical responsibilities, is also available to attorneys from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on weekdays. The Ethics Hotline can be reached by calling 800-238-4427 (800-2-ETHICS) within California or 415-538-2150 from outside of California.

These opinions are also published in the California Compendium on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, which is available from the State Bar by calling 415-538-2148.

Recent practical guidance:

• Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law

Recent ethics opinions:

• CAL 2024-209: Succession Planning
• CAL 2023-208: Ethical Obligations When Working Remotely
• CAL 2021-207: Client with Diminished Capacity
• CAL 2021-206: Colleague Impairment
• CAL 2021-205: Duties to Prospective Client
• CAL 2020-204: Litigation Funding
• CAL 2020-203: Data Breaches
  
• CAL 2020-202: Advising a Cannabis Business
• CAL 2020-201: Ethical Obligations When Departing Firm
  
• CAL 2019-200: Witness Perjury
• CAL 2019-199: Attorney Directory and Rating Websites
  
• CAL 2019-198: Settling Before Withdrawal
  
• CAL 2019-197: Seeking Advice About Current Clients
  
• CAL 2016-196: Attorney Blogging
• CAL 2016-195: Publicly Available Confidential Information
• CAL 2015-194: Puffing in Negotiations
• CAL 2015-193: ESI and Discovery Requests
• CAL 2015-192: Disclosure of Confidences at Motions for Withdrawal
• CAL 2014-191: In Rem Bankruptcy Proceedings
• CAL 2014-190: Dissolving Firm and Moving to New Firm
• CAL 2013-189: Deceitful Conduct
• CAL 2013-188: Confidential Information and Unsolicited Email Correspondence
• CAL 2013-187: Third-Party Payors
• CAL 2012-186: Social Networking
• CAL 2012-185: State Bar Complaints
• CAL 2012-184: Virtual Law Office
• CAL 2012-183: Duty of Confidentiality and Seeking Legal Advice

Finding Ethics Opinions

Can't find what you need? There are several ways to find opinions on specific subjects.

• Use the search field at the top of the page by entering concepts or keywords.
• File a request to locate an opinion. Start by going to the Opinion Requests page for information on requesting an opinion from the Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct.