The D.C. Bar Legal Ethics Program provides guidance on questions that arise under the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct. Program services include publication of formal advisory opinions and confidential informal consultation with legal ethics counsel.
Rules of Professional Conduct
The Rules of Professional Conduct are rules of reason. They should be interpreted with reference to the purposes of legal representation and of the law itself.
Recent Reports, Recommendations and Select Court Orders
- D.C. Court of Appeals Order No. M287-24
Amendments to D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct 1.6 (Confidentiality of Information), 1.7 (Conflict of Interest: General Rule), 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation), and 5.6 (Restrictions on Right to Practice). Effective September 15, 2025.
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- D.C. Court of Appeals Order No. M284-24
Amendments to D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (Competence), 1.6 (Confidentiality of Information), 3.8 (Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor), 4.4 (Respect for Rights of Third Persons), and 5.3 (Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants). Effective May 6, 2025.
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- Proposed Changes to Rule 1.8(d) (Conflict of Interest: Specific Rules (Humanitarian Exception)) (October 2023 Report for Public Comment)
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- January 2022 Report to the Board of Governors Proposing Changes to the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct Relating to Client-Generated Engagement Letters and Outside Counsel Guidelines
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- February 2020 Proposed Amendments to Selected D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct
Report and Recommendations
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- March 2021 Proposed Amendments to D.C. Rule 8.4 Report and Recommendations
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- Proposed Changes to Rule 1.6(k) (Confidentiality of Information)
(June 2020 -- Report for Public Comment)
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- Proposed Changes to Rule 8.5 (Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law)
(June 2020 -- Report for Public Comment)
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- Alternate Proposal to Adopt Model Rule 8.5(b)(2)
(June 2020 -- Report for Public Comment)
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Legislative History: Reports and Recommendations
- June 2005: Report of Proposed Amendments to the District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct: Final Report and Recommendations
- Reports and Recommendations of the Rules of Professional Conduct Review Committee
- September 2009: Proposed Revisions to Rules Governing IOLTA
- References to September 2009: Proposed Revisions to Rules Governing IOLTA
- August 2010: Amendments to the Rules Governing the District of Columbia Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA) Program
- June 2012: Proposed Amendments to Selected Rules of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct
- April 2013: Report of the Limited Scope Working Group
- January 2015: Proposed Revisions to D.C. Rule of Professional Conduct 1.2 (Draft Report)
- Amendments to D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct 1.10; 1.15; and 7.1 (Effective October 8, 2015)
- February 2019: Proposed Amendments to Selected Rules of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct
