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. Due to limited staffing, the Ethics Hotline is currently open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 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.
You may also request a call by completing the online Ethics Hotline Research Assistance Request Form. If you use the online request form, you can expect a call from an Ethics Hotline staff person in 1–3 business days, depending on the call volume.
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.