Previous Rules of Professional Conduct

Previous Rules (1992 to 2018)

Rules of Professional Conduct (1992-2018)
(In effect 1992 to October 31, 2018)

Previous Rules (1989 to 1992)

Rules of Professional Conduct (1989-1992)
(In effect May 27, 1989 to September 13, 1992)

Previous Rules (1975 to 1989)

Rules of Professional Conduct (1975 to 1989)
(In effect January 1, 1975 to May 26, 1989)

Revised Rules Approved by Order of the Supreme Court Filed December 31, 1974 together with subsequent revisions.

This revision constitutes the first complete revision of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The first set of Rules of Professional Conduct were approved by the Supreme Court effective May 24, 1928. For the last official printing of the former revision of the Rules, see (1969) 1 Cal.3d Rules amended 1972 and 1973.

Cross-Reference Chart

The California Rules of Professional Conduct underwent two major revision processes since 1975, one involving the re-numbering of the rules. Listed below are the current Rules of Professional Conduct by name and number along with the corresponding references during the prior earlier time periods. References to the earlier rules may be helpful in addressing matters arising out of the time period the prior rules were in effect.

Current California Rules of Professional Conduct Rules Operative
May 27, 1989 		Rules Operative
Jan. 1, 1975
Rule 1-100 Rules of Professional Conduct, in General Rule 1-100 Rule 1-100
Rule 1-110 Disciplinary Authority of the State Bar Rule 1-110 Rule 9-101
Rule 1-120 Assisting, Soliciting, or Inducing Violations Rule 1-120  
Rule 1-200 False Statement Regarding Admission to the State Bar Rule 1-200 Rule 1-101
Rule 1-300 Unauthorized Practice of Law Rule 1-300 Rule 3-101
Rule 1-310 Forming a Partnership With a Non-Lawyer Rule 1-310 Rule 3-103
Rule 1-311 Employment of Disbarred, Suspended, Resigned, or Involuntarily Inactive Members    
Rule 1-320 Financial Arrangements With Non-Lawyer Rule 1-320 Rule 3-102
Rule 1-400 Advertising and Solicitation Rule 1-400 Rule 2-101
Rule 1-500 Agreements Restricting a Member's Practice Rule 1-500 Rule 2-109
Rule 1-600 Legal Service Programs Rule 1-600 Rule 2-102
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    
Rule 2-100 Communication With a Represented Party Rule 2-100 Rule 7-103
Rule 2-200 Financial Arrangements Among Lawyers Rule 2-200 Rule 2-108
Rule 2-300 Sale or Purchase of a Law Practice of a Member, Living or Deceased Rule 2-300  
Rule 2-400 Prohibited Discriminatory Conduct in a Law Practice    
Rule 3-100 Confidential Information of a Client    
Rule 3-110 Failing to Act Competently Rule 3-110 Rule 6-101
Rule 3-120 Sexual Relations With Client    
Rule 3-200 Prohibited Objectives of Employment Rule 3-200 Rule 2-110
Rule 3-210 Advising the Violation of Law Rule 3-210 Rule 7-101
Rule 3-300 Avoiding Interests Adverse to a Client Rule 3-300 Rule 5-101
Rule 3-310 Avoiding the Representation of Adverse Interests Rule 3-310 5-102, 4-101
Rule 3-320 Relationship With Other Party's Lawyer Rule 3-320  
Rule 3-400 Limiting Liability to Client Rule 3-400 Rule 6-102
Rule 3-410 Disclosure of Professional Liability Insurance    
Rule 3-500 Communication Rule 3-500  
Rule 3-510 Communication of Settlement Offer Rule 3-510 Rule 5-105
Rule 3-600 Organization as Client Rule 3-600  
Rule 3-700 Termination of Employment Rule 3-700 Rule 2-111
Rule 4-100 Preserving Identity of Funds and Property of a Client Rule 4-100 Rule 8-101
Rule 4-200 Fees for Legal Services Rule 4-200 Rule 2-107
Rule 4-210 Payment of Personal or Business Expenses Incurred by or for a Client Rule 4-210 Rule 5-104
Rule 4-300 Purchasing Property at a Foreclosure or a Sale Subject to Judicial Review Rule 4-300 Rule 5-103
Rule 4-400 Gifts From Client Rule 4-400  
Rule 5-100 Threatening Criminal, Administrative, or Disciplinary Charges Rule 5-100 Rule 7-104
Rule 5-110 Performing the Duty of Member in Government Service Rule 5-110 Rule 7-102
Rule 5-120 Trial Publicity    
Rule 5-200 Trial Conduct Rule 5-200 Rule 7-105
Rule 5-210 Member as Witness Rule 5-210 Rule 2-111
Rule 5-220 Suppression of Evidence Rule 5-220 Rule 7-107
Rule 5-300 Contact With Officials Rule 5-300 Rule 7-108
Rule 5-310 Prohibited Contact With Witnesses Rule 5-310 Rule 7-107
Rule 5-320 Contact With Jurors Rule 5-320 Rule 7-106