The ABA and state bar associations issue ethics opinions in response to attorney requests for advice. These advisory opinions help attorneys better understand ethical conduct under the Model Rules or Model Code.
Though not legally enforceble, these opinions show how a bar association has interpreted a particular rule or code. There are both formal and informal opinions, where formal opinions pertain to matters of general interest to the bar, while informal opinions pertain to specific factual situations.
The ABA's Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility issues formal and informal ethics opinions. Sources for these opinions include:
Browse Sources > ABA Formal Ethics Opinions Browse Sources > ABA Informal Ethics Opinions Latest Opinions only available complimentary for a minimum of one year Selected opinions available complimentary from the ABA website.Location: KF305 .A857 2000. This volume contains the full text of ABA formal opinions from 1983 through 1998.
Location: KF305 .A857 1985 c.1. This volume contains the full text of (i) ABA formal opinions from 1967 through 1982 (Nos. 316-348) and (ii) ABA informal opinions from 1974 through 1982 (Nos. 1285-1495).
Location: KF305 .A2 1967. This volume contains the full text of ABA formal opinions from 1924 through 1966 (Nos. 1-315).
HeinOnline: COL login required. New ABA Formal opinions are published regularly in the ABA Journal.Print - Location: KF308.A6 N38 on microfiche in the Microform Room has the most comprehensive compilation up to 2004
Print - Location: KF305 .A2 1970 c.1. This digest and its supplements include brief summaries of ethics opinions from the ABA and state and local bar associations prior to 1980.
In Georgia since 1986, the process of drafting ethics opinions starts with the Formal Advisory Opinions Board of the State Bar of Georgia. The Board drafts a proposed advisory opinion and, after receiving comments and feedback from the legal community, files the opinion with the Supreme Court of Georgia. The Court reviews the proposal and, if adopted, issues a Formal Advisory Opinion.
State Bar of GeorgiaOnline: Access the current issue and archived issues since 1999. Print - Call Number: .G352 .B2233
Publishes proposed advisory opinions drafted by the State Bar of Georgia and final, formal advisory opinions issued by the Supreme Court of Georgia
Call Number: KFG77 .S734. Contains final, formal advisory opinions issued by the Supreme Court of Georgia
State discipline boards issue disciplinary actions against attorneys who violate the ethics rules of their prospective states.
These disciplinary actions, which include reprimands, suspensions, formal admonitions, or disbarment, can be made public or kept confidential. If made public, attorney disciplinary actions are usually published in state bar journals. Many states also publish disciplinary actions on state bar association or state judicial websites.
Use the following to locate state attorney disciplinary actions from Georgia:
Find public disciplinary actions from the last three years. Disciplinary rules from the State Bar of Georgia HandbookTo locate state attorney disciplinary actions:
Find disciplinary actions from every state using:
Disclaimer: The views and opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the State of Georgia, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Georgia State University College of Law and the authors of the works contained on this website do not assume or accept any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, currentness, or comprehensiveness of the content on this website. The content on this website does not in any manner constitute the issuance of legal advice or counsel. The information on this website is intended to provide resources that may aid the research of the topics presented, and are in no way a comprehensive list of sources one should consult on the topics presented. Please note that case law, statutory law, and administrative law may be modified and/or overturned. Additionally, because the laws vary between jurisdictions, the laws referred to herein may or may not be applicable to the law within the reader’s jurisdiction.