The Missouri Supreme Court first suspended Springfield attorney Cody Smith's license and then disbarred him after dozens of clients accused him of taking money without providing legal services. The disbarment proceedings may allow clients to recover their money through the state's disciplinary process.
Clients could not reach Smith after paying him to file uncontested divorces. The clients said they waited months, and in some cases, one year, but Smith never filed their cases.
The Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel said Smith failed to perform services as promised and did not return calls, texts, or emails. Dozens of clients paid Smith for representation but received no services. Smith never filed a response to the suspension case.
""On Your Side: Missouri Supreme Court disbars Springfield attorney Cody Smith" www.ky3.com (Dec. 16, 2025).
Commentary
A fundamental in an attorney-client relationship is communication.
An attorney must keep the client reasonably informed about the status of their case. Notify the client within a reasonable time of significant developments that affect the case in any relevant way. Don't make your client call you for an update. But, if they do, respond promptly.
Explain matters to the client so they can make informed decisions regarding the case. Not every detail need be explained, but make sure the client knows and understands all main parts of the representation process, overall strategy, the chances of success, the methods and tactics to be used, and the potential for any significant expense or harm to others.
The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct state:
"Rule 1.14: Client with Decision-Making Limitations - Comment
Ordinary Client-Lawyer Relationship
[4] Lawyers are required to maintain, as far as reasonably possible, an ordinary client-lawyer relationship with clients with decision-making limitations. An ordinary client-lawyer relationship requires, among other things, abiding by a client's decisions concerning the objectives of the representation; keeping a client informed about the status of the matter and explaining matters to the extent reasonably necessary for a client to make informed decisions regarding the representation; and rendering candid advice to a client. See Rules 1.2, 1.4, and 2.1. An ordinary client-lawyer relationship is based, in part, on the assumption that the client, when properly advised and assisted, can make and communicate reasoned, informed decisions about important matters. When the client has decision-making limitations, however, maintaining an ordinary client-lawyer relationship may not be possible in all respects. In particular, a client with decision-making limitations may have limited ability to make or communicate legally binding decisions."
