The District of Columbia Court of Appeals in the exercise of its inherent powers over members of the legal profession does hereby create, as an official arm of the Court, an association of members of the Bar of the District of Columbia to be known as the District of Columbia Bar, and pursuant to its statutory authority governing admissions to the Bar promulgates the following rules for the government of the Bar and the individual members thereof:
Rule I. Organization of the Bar of the District of Columbia
Section 1. Creation of Association
All persons admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia
are hereby organized as an association to be known as the “District
of Columbia Bar” subject to the provisions of the Rules hereinafter
set forth.
The words “the Bar” wherever used in these rules mean the
District of Columbia Bar.
The words “the Court” wherever used in these Rules mean the District of Columbia Court of Appeals unless the context requires otherwise.
The words “Secretary of the Bar” and “Board of Governors” wherever used in these rules refer to elected officials of the Bar.
The words “the By-laws” refer to the By-laws of the Bar.
The Bar may, for the purpose of carrying
out the purposes for which it is organized, sue and be sued, enter into
contracts, acquire, hold, encumber and dispose of real and personal
property.
Section 2. Purposes
The purposes of the Bar shall be to aid the Court in carrying on
and improving the administration of justice; to foster and maintain
on the part of those engaged in the practice of law high ideals of integrity,
learning, competence in public service, and high standards of conduct;
to safeguard the proper professional interest of the members of the
Bar; to encourage the formation and activities of volunteer bar associations;
to provide a forum for the discussion of subjects pertaining to the
practice of law, the science of jurisprudence and law reform, and
the relations of the Bar to the public, and to publish information relating
thereto; to carry on a continuing program of legal research and education
in the technical fields of substantive law, practice and procedure,
and make reports and recommendations thereon; to the end that the
public responsibility of the legal profession may be more effectively discharged.
