Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel



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Missouri Attorney Discipline System

The Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel is an agency of the Missouri Supreme Court and is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct by lawyers, prosecuting the cases where a lawyer’s misconduct poses a threat to the public or to the integrity of the legal profession, and maintaining current records of disciplinary information for lawyers licensed to practice law in Missouri.


When lawyers enter the practice of law in Missouri, they obligate themselves to uphold the law and to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct governing members of The Missouri Bar. The purpose of attorney discipline is to protect the public and the administration of justice from attorneys who have not discharged their professional duties to clients, the public, the legal system, and the legal profession. The professional conduct of attorneys is governed by Supreme Court Rule 4 and the discipline process is governed by Supreme Court Rule 5.



News & Announcements

OCDC Article: Some Conflicts Are Without A Cure *NEW*
Many lawyers believe that all conflicts of interest are waivable. There are, however, both consentable and nonconsentable conflicts of interest. More...
Published: Nov 15, 2011


OCDC Article: Is Missouri's Trust Account Overdraft Notification Rule Working?
On October 8, 2009, Missouri became the 40th state to adopt a trust account overdraft notification rule. More...
Published: Aug 1, 2011


OCDC Article: Lawyer - Are You Listening?
The Missouri Supreme Court has stated on numerous occasions that the purpose of the lawyer system is to protect the public and and maintain the integrity of the profession. More...
Published: May 1, 2011


OCDC Article: Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away): Your Obligations After Representation is Terminated
In the majority of cases, the attorney-client relationship is successful and results in the completion of the representation without incident. Of course, like any good relationship, this requires the willingness of both parties... More...
Published: Feb 1, 2011


OCDC Article: Disciplinary Sanctions
Because the vast majority of the members of the Missouri's Bar have never had firsthand experience with the attorney discipline system, you may be among the number who lack familiarity with the sanctions for professional contact. More...
Published: Nov 1, 2010


OCDC Article: Stand By Your Man (And Other Ethics Lessons From the Classics)
Many people, including lawyers, turn to the Classics for life lessons. Some find all the metaphors they need in Shakespeare. More...
Published: Aug 1, 2010


OCDC Article: OCDC Wants To Hear From You – Now What?
Supreme Court Rule 5.08 authorizes the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel (OCDC) to investigate any matter of professional misconduct. The OCDC has authority to investigate alleged misconduct with or without a complaint. More...
Published: May 17, 2010


OCDC Articles - The Lawyers on the Front Line
Which lawyers in Missouri are the most likely to be the subject of an investigation arising out of the filing of a formal ethics complaint? More...
Published: Nov 28, 2009


OCDC Article - INSIDE THE INVESTIGATION - The Lawyer Under Investigation
You receive a letter from the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel (“OCDC”) with an attached ethics complaint making a “lawful demand” for your “complete, written response.” You are now a lawyer under investigation... More...
Published: Jul 28, 2009


OCDC Article - INSIDE THE INVESTIGATION - The Role of the Regional Disciplinary Committee
After receipt of an ethics complaint against a St. Louis area attorney, the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel typically refers the investigation to either the Region X Disciplinary Committee -for attorneys whose practice is located in the 21st judicial circuit- or the Region XI Disciplinary Committee -for attorneys whose practice is located in the 22nd judicial circuit... More...
Published: May 28, 2009