To informally and confidentially discuss an ethics question, contact the State Bar's ethics hotline at (608) 229-2017 or (800) 254-9154, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The ethics hotline is an advisory service that puts you in touch with an experienced ethics lawyer who can discuss relevant Rules and case law and provide non-binding guidance to help Wisconsin lawyers conform their own conduct to the Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys.
The ethics hotline service is for members of the State Bar of Wisconsin only, although questions from non-Wisconsin lawyers who are practicing legally in Wisconsin, such as registered in-house counsel lawyers or lawyers practicing in Wisconsin pursuant to a pro hac vice admission, questions from non-Wisconsin lawyers seeking guidance with respect to SCR 20:5.5, and questions from law office support staff will normally be answered.
The ethics hotline service cannot answer questions from the general public about the conduct of Wisconsin lawyers, nor does ethics hotline receive, evaluate or investigate complaints against Wisconsin lawyers – all such complaints must be directed to the Office of Lawyer Regulation (877-315-6941). Further, the ethics hotline service cannot offer an opinion on the behavior of a third party, such as opposing counsel, and cannot respond to hypothetical questions.
