Current Rules of Professional Conduct

Rules of Professional Conduct (current rules as of Nov. 2, 2017). Effective dates of rule additions and amendments made after Sept. 14, 1992, are shown at the end of specific rules.

On May 10, 2018, the California Supreme Court issued an order approving new Rules of Professional Conduct, which will go into effect Nov. 1, 2018. The current rules remain in effect until then.

Rules of Professional Conduct (download PDF)

Chapter 1. Professional Integrity in General

Rule 1-100 Rules of Professional Conduct, in General
Rule 1-110 Disciplinary Authority of the State Bar
Rule 1-120 Assisting, Soliciting, or Inducing Violations
Rule 1-200 False Statement Regarding Admission to the State Bar
Rule 1-300 Unauthorized Practice of Law
Rule 1-310 Forming a Partnership With a Non-Lawyer
Rule 1-311 Employment of Disbarred, Suspended, Resigned, or Involuntarily Inactive Member
Rule 1-320 Financial Arrangements With Non-Lawyers
Rule 1-400 Advertising and Solicitation
Rule 1-500 Agreements Restricting a Member's Practice
Rule 1-600 Legal Service Programs
Rule 1-650 Limited Legal Services Programs
Rule 1-700 Member as Candidate for Judicial Office
Rule 1-710 Member as Temporary Judge, Referee, or Court-Appointed Arbitrator

Chapter 2. Relationship Among Members

Rule 2-100 Communication With a Represented Party
Rule 2-200 Financial Arrangements Among Lawyers
Rule 2-300 Sale or Purchase of a Law Practice of a Member, Living or Deceased
Rule 2-400 Prohibited Discriminatory Conduct in a Law Practice.

Chapter 3. Professional Relationship With Clients

Rule 3-100 Confidential Information of a Client
Rule 3-110 Failing to Act Competently
Rule 3-120 Sexual Relations With Client
Rule 3-200 Prohibited Objectives of Employment
Rule 3-210 Advising the Violation of Law
Rule 3-300 Avoiding Interests Adverse to a Client
Rule 3-310 Avoiding the Representation of Adverse Interests
Rule 3-320 Relationship With Other Party's Lawyer
Rule 3-400 Limiting Liability to Client
Rule 3-410 Disclosure of Professional Liability Insurance
Rule 3-500 Communication
Rule 3-510 Communication of Settlement Offer
Rule 3-600 Organization as Client
Rule 3-700 Termination of Employment

Chapter 4. Financial Relationship With Clients

Rule 4-100 Preserving Identity of Funds and Property of a Client
Rule 4-200 Fees for Legal Services
Rule 4-210 Payment of Personal or Business Expenses Incurred by or for a Client
Rule 4-300 Purchasing Property at a Foreclosure or a Sale Subject to Judicial Review
Rule 4-400 Gifts From Client

Chapter 5. Advocacy and Representation

Rule 5-100 Threatening Criminal, Administrative, or Disciplinary Charges
Rule 5-110 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor
Rule 5-120 Trial Publicity
Rule 5-200 Trial Conduct
Rule 5-210 Member as Witness
Rule 5-220 Suppression of Evidence
Rule 5-300 Contact With Officials
Rule 5-310 Prohibited Contact With Witnesses
Rule 5-320 Contact With Jurors