ETHICS OPINION 371-1945

NUMBER 371 1945

Question. A, an attorney, in the course of his practice, has occasion to advise regular clients with respect to the possibility of their being inducted into the armed forces under the Selective Service laws, and in that connection has rendered services in the preparation or affidavits for submission by them to their respective local draft boards and to the appeal boards

Is it professionally proper for A to charge his clients for such services?

Answer. There is no professional impropriety in an attorney, who is called upon to advise his regular clients with respect to questions arising under the Selective Service laws and to perform services in connection therewith, charging for the services so rendered, provided the client is financially able to pay. If the client is unable to pay, the services should be rendered without charge. See Opinion 211 of the American Bar Association.

Inasmuch as the Selective Service regulations provide for the appointment of an advisory board for registrants and appeal agents, rendering service of the type described, without compensation, an attorney, before accepting employment of the type indicated, should, in all instances, advise his client that the assistance of the advisory board for registrants or of the appeal agents, as the case may be, is available without charge.