Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel

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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.

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...

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...

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...

OCDC Article - Stress-Free Practice
As lawyers, we spend about half of our waking hours doing something related to our profession. (Some, of course, work much more than that.) And even when we arent actually at work, many of us are brainstorming solutions to case problems and office issues. We spend time worrying about last weeks trial, todays transaction, and next weeks brief... More...

OCDC Article - Limited Scope Representation a/k/a Unbundled Legal Services
The Supreme Court adopted rule changes, effective July 1, 2008, clarifying the duties and procedures that apply when an attorney provides limited scope legal services to a client. Although the adoption of these changes was somewhat controversial, it was common, and ethically permissible, for attorneys to provide limited scope legal services prior to the adoption of these changes. More...

OCDC Article - Trust Account Recordkeeping: What You Need to Know to Stay Out of Trouble
Attorneys frequently hold client or third party money in trust. This is a profound responsibility upon the part of an attorney; however, many attorneys do not take the time to ensure that their practices and procedures are adequate for protecting client/third party funds. This is a huge mistake... More...

Alan Pratzel, Chief Disciplinary Counsel - 3335 American Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65109 - Phone: 573-635-7400 - FAX: 573-635-2240