Rules of Professional Conduct
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This page contains amendments to the District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the D.C. Court of Appeals on April 7, 2025, and effective May 6, 2025. The amendments affect D.C. Rules 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). A summary of the changes and the court’s order implementing these changes, including both clean and redline versions of the rules as amended, can be found here.
Rule 1Client-Lawyer Relationship
- 1.0 Terminology
- 1.1 Competence
- 1.2 Scope of Representation
- 1.3 Diligence and Zeal
- 1.4 Communication
- 1.5 Fees
- 1.6 Confidentiality of Information
- 1.7 Conflict of Interest: General Rule
- 1.8 Conflict of Interest: Specific Rules
- 1.9 Conflict of Interest: Former Client
- 1.10 Imputed Disqualification: General Rule
- 1.11 Successive Government and Private Employment
- 1.12 Third-Party Neutrals
- 1.13 Organization as Client
- 1.14 Client with Diminished Capacity
- 1.15 Safekeeping Property
- 1.16 Declining or Terminating Representation
- 1.17 Sale of Law Practice
- 1.18 Duties to Prospective Client
Rule 2Counselor
Rule 3Advocate
- 3.1 Meritorious Claims and Contentions
- 3.2 Expediting Litigation
- 3.3 Candor to Tribunal
- 3.4 Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel
- 3.5 Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal
- 3.6 Trial Publicity
- 3.7 Lawyer as Witness
- 3.8 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor
- 3.9 Advocate in Nonadjudicative Proceedings
Rule 4Transactions With Persons Other Than Clients
Rule 5Law Firms and Associations
- 5.1 Responsibilities of Partners, Managers and Supervisory Lawyers
- 5.2 Subordinate Lawyers
- 5.3 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants
- 5.4 Professional Independence of a Lawyer
- 5.5 Unauthorized Practice
- 5.6 Restrictions on Right to Practice
- 5.7 Responsibilities Regarding Law-Related Services
Rule 6Public Service
Rule 7Information About Legal Services
- 7.1 Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services
- 7.2 Not contained in District of Columbia Rules
- 7.3 Not contained in District of Columbia Rules
- 7.4 Not contained in District of Columbia Rules
- 7.5 Firm Names and Letterheads
Rule 8Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession
- 8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters
- 8.2 Not contained in District of Columbia Rules
- 8.3 Reporting Professional Misconduct
- 8.4 Misconduct
- 8.5 Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law
Rule 9Nondiscrimination by Members of the Bar
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