South Carolina

Contact Information

Complaints
South Carolina Board of Commissioners
on Grievances and Discipline
P.O. Box 11330
Columbia, SC 29211
Phone: (803) 734-2038

State Bar
South Carolina State Bar
950 Taylor Street
P.O. Box 608
Columbia, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 799-6653
Fax: (803) 799-4118

Status

The Ethics Advisory Committee issued Opinion 97-08 finding a reasonable expectation of privacy when sending confidential information through electronic mail (whether direct link, commercial service, or Internet). The Opinion also states that the use of electronic mail will not affect the confidentiality of client communications under South Carolina Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6. This opinion revisited the e-mail confidentiality issue as originally addressed in Opinion 94-27.

Rules and Regulations

The South Carolina Bar Ethics Advisory Committee provides the full, searchable text of all ethics opinions since 1958 on line. The Bar also offers the Rules of Conduct.

Potential Issues

Rule 7.1: No false or misleading communication.
Rule 7.2: Retain copy of advertisement for two years.
Rule 7.4: Identification of attorney as specialist.