Frequently Asked Questions: Ethics Hotline Service

The Ethics Hotline is a confidential research service provided by the State Bar of California. It offers guidance to licensed attorneys on questions related to their professional responsibilities under the Rules of Professional Conduct and the State Bar Act.

This service is available to all licensed attorneys so long as the question is not related to a pending disciplinary investigation or case with the State Bar.

You can reach the Ethics Hotline in two ways:

• By phone: Call 1-800-238-4427 (within California) or 415-538-2150 (outside of California). Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon (PST). You may speak with a live agent or leave a callback number. Calls are returned in the order received.
• Online request form: Submit a Research Assistance Request Form at any time. A staff member will respond by phone within one to two business days in the order received.

The types of ethical questions that the Ethics Hotline can assist with include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conflicts of interest
• Communication with the represented person
• Duties of confidentiality and competence
• Advertising and solicitation
• Fee arrangements and client trust accounting
• Withdrawal from representation of a client
• Other issues under the California Rules of Professional Conduct and Business and Professions Code

Staff can provide citations to relevant rules, cases, and ethics opinions (State Bar or local bar associations).

The Ethics Hotline:

• Cannot offer legal advice. Staff cannot tell you what to do, review documents, or recommend a specific course of action; they can only provide references to applicable rules and authorities.
• Cannot assist with administrative or compliance issues, such as:
  • Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP)
  • Law Corporations or Limited Liability Partnerships
  • Agency billing
  • Admissions
  • MCLE compliance
  • Mandatory pro bono reporting

For these types of questions, please use the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry Form.

Yes. All communications with the Ethics Hotline are confidential and not shared with third parties or disciplinary authorities. The Ethics Hotline does not make referrals to the Office of Chief Trial Counsel.

Additional tips before you call:

• Have a clear and concise summary of your ethical question or fact pattern.
• Be prepared to provide relevant context but avoid disclosing client-identifying information.
• Review the California Rules of Professional Conduct beforehand, if possible—it may help you frame your question more effectively.

No. The Ethics Hotline provides research assistance, not binding opinions. Advisory opinions can be requested through the Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct.

Yes, to the extent consistent with the information needed to research the issue.

No, the Ethics Hotline does not provide written opinions or research memoranda. Assistance is offered by phone, and staff will identify relevant rules, cases, and ethics opinions during the call.