1975, March, Pg. 519. ETHICS.

4 Colo.Law. 519

Colorado Lawyer

1975.

1975, March, Pg. 519.

ETHICS

519Vol. 4, No. 3, Pg. 519ETHICSOpinions of the Ethics Committee of the Colorado Bar Association are published here for the information of the members of the Association. Formal opinions are given on matters of general and continuing interest to the Bar. Informal opinions are given in response to specific inquiry.Informal Opinion: 1/25/75Topic: Credit card payment for legal services.Digest: The use of credit cards for the payment of legal services and expenses is permitted under the Code of Professional Responsibility if specified guidelines are followed. Interest may be charged on delinquent accounts with the client's agreement.OpinionIt is the opinion of the Colorado Ethics Committee that the Code of Professional Responsibility permits the use of credit cards for the payment of legal expenses and services, providing all of its provisions are fully and completely observed. The committee takes cognizance of the Formal Opinion 338 of the American Bar Association Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, adopted November 16, 1974.

Generally speaking, a credit card plan in the state of Colorado conforms to these Code provisions and the considerations flowing therefrom when the plan requires that:1. All publicity and advertising involving attorneys who are participating in a credit card plan shall be subject to the prior approval in writing of the state or local bar committee having jurisdiction of the professional ethics of the attorneys involved.

2. No directory of any kind shall be printed or published of the names of individual attorney members who subscribe to the credit card plan.

3. No promotional materials of any kind will be supplied by the credit card company to a participating attorney, except a small insignia may be displayed in the attorney's office, which is not visible from outside of the attorney's office, indicating his participation in the use of the credit card.

4. A lawyer shall not encourage participation in the plan, but his position must be that he accepts the plan as a convenience for clients who desire it, and the lawyer may not, because of his participation in the plan, increase his fee for legal services rendered to the client.

5. Charges made by lawyers to clients pursuant to a credit card plan shall be for...