Local Rule L.R. 2093: Professional Conduct and Obligations of Attorneys.

L.R. 2093 - Professional Conduct and Obligations of Attorneys. A. Professional Conduct. The professional conduct of attorneys appearing before this Court is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Supreme Court of Missouri, the Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, and these Rules.

B. Duty to Confer. Every attorney appearing before this Court is required to attempt, in good faith, to communicate with opposing counsel in advance of appearing in any trial or hearing in a contested matter in an attempt to reach agreement on the matter.

C. Obligations of Attorneys. 1. With respect to hearings: a. Attorneys must comply with L.R. 2093(B). b. Attorneys must appear at all scheduled hearings, unless: i. counsel advises the Court prior to the hearing that the matter has been resolved; ii. at least one attorney appears and reports the matter has been resolved; iii. the Court has continued the matter; or iv. the Court has otherwise excused attendance. 2. Attorneys for debtors must file all required documents, including the attorney fee disclosure statement required by L.R. 2016-1(A). 3. Legal Services of Debtor's Counsel. Regardless of which chapter of the Bankruptcy Code the case is under, debtor's counsel must provide all legal services necessary for representation of the debtor in connection with the bankruptcy case until conclusion of the case, except for, at the discretion of debtor's counsel, representation of the debtor in an adversary proceeding and/or an appeal, for the fee set forth in the attorney fee disclosure statement filed with the Court pursuant to L.R. 2016-1(A). "Unbundling" of legal services or any similar arrangement is prohibited, and debtor's counsel must not include any language in the attorney fee disclosure statement or in a client agreement that contradicts or is inconsistent with this Rule. Debtor's counsel may, subject to any applicable Bankruptcy Code sections and rules governing compensation of professionals, be additionally compensated for representation of the debtor in an adversary proceeding and/or an appeal. This is regardless of the fee option selected in a Chapter 13 case.