Preamble
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:
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 “D.C. Bar” or “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 Bylaws” refer to the Bylaws 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 (a) to assist the legal profession in maintaining high standards of the practice of law in the District of Columbia; (b) to aid the courts of the District of Columbia in carrying out and improving the administration of justice; (c) to promote access to justice and enhance the delivery of legal services to those in need; (d) 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 ethical standards; (e) to safeguard the proper professional interests of the members of the Bar; (f) to encourage the formation and support the activities of volunteer bar associations; (g) to provide a forum for and publish information about the practice of law, the science of jurisprudence and law reform, and the relationship of the Bar to the public; and (h) 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.
Amended March 4, 2024
