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How to Request an Opinion

It is the function of the State Bar of Michigan Committees on Professional and Judicial Ethics to respond with an informal written opinion to an inquiry from a Michigan judge or attorney concerning his or her own proposed ethical conduct. The committee is not authorized to render an opinion regarding past conduct or the conduct of someone other than the inquirer. The committees' opinion will be limited to interpretation of the Rules of Professional Conduct or the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct. It is not within the committees' province to research appellate decisions, statutory law, or court rules, or to express an opinion as to any provision of law applicable to the contemplated conduct which is the subject of an inquiry.

To request a written opinion, please include the following in a letter addressed to the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Professional Ethics or the Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics:

  • The inquirer's name, address, telephone, and P#.
  • The facts of the inquiry. Set out the circumstances, including all relevant facts, which give rise to your request for an ethics opinion.
  • The issue(s). Set forth the ethical questions which in your judgment arise out of the proposed course of conduct.
  • References. Identify the section(s) of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct or the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct which appear to you to be applicable to your inquiry; cite ethics opinions identified in the course of your research which appear to you to be applicable to your inquiry.

Send the letter to:

    Chairperson
    Standing Committee on Professional Ethics
    c/o Director of Professional Standards
    State Bar of Michigan
    306 Townsend St.
    Lansing, MI 48933

    or

    Chairperson
    Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics
    c/o Director of Professional Standards
    State Bar of Michigan
    306 Townsend St.
    Lansing, MI 48933