Rules of Professional Conduct

Rules of Professional Conduct (Current rules as of September 1, 2009. Effective dates of rule additions and amendments made after September 14, 1992, are shown at the end of specific rules.)

The current Rules of Professional Conduct are under review by the State Bar. Information concerning the review process is found at the Commission for the Revision of the Rules of Professional Conduct homepage. This information includes tentatively approved draft rule amendments.

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 Performing the Duty of Member in Government Service
• 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