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District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct

[This edition, compiled by the LII editors, has a cutoff date of June 1, 2002.]

The D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct have two lapses in sequential numbering. The section entitled "Information About Legal Services" contains no Rules 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4, and the section entitled "Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession" contains no Rule 8.2.

The D.C. Rules were drafted following the numbering system of the American Bar Association's Model Rules. The D.C. Court of Appeals, however, chose not to adopt several rules included in the ABA Model and also elected not to renumber the remaining rules sequentially.

[This edition, compiled by the LII editors, has a cutoff date of June 1, 2002.]

Introduction

PART 1. CLIENT-LAWYER RELATIONSHIP

Rule 1.1: Competence
Rule 1.2: Scope of Representation
Rule 1.3: Diligence and Zeal
Rule 1.4: Communication
Rule 1.5: Fees
Rule 1.6: Confidentiality of Information
Rule 1.7: Conflict of Interest: General
Rule 1.8: Conflict of Interest: Specific Rules
Rule 1.9: Conflict of Interest: Former Client
Rule 1.10: Imputed Disqualification: General Rule
Rule 1.11: Successive Government and Private or Other Employment
Rule 1.12: Third-Party Neutrals
Rule 1.13: Organization as Client
Rule 1.14: Client with Diminished Capacity
Rule 1.15: Safekeeping Property
Rule 1.16: Declining or Terminating Representation
Rule 1.17: Sale of Law Practice
Rule 1.18: Duties to Prospective Client
Rule 1.19: Trust Account Overdraft Notification

PART 2. COUNSELOR

Rule 2.1: Advisor
Rule 2.3: Evaluation for Use by Third Persons
Rule 2.4: Lawyer Serving as Third-Party Neutral

PART 3. ADVOCATE

Rule 3.1: Meritorious Claims and Contentions
Rule 3.2: Expediting Litigation
Rule 3.3: Candor to Tribunal
Rule 3.4: Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel
Rule 3.5: Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal
Rule 3.6: Trial Publicity
Rule 3.7: Lawyer as Witness
Rule 3.8: Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor
Rule 3.9: Advocate in Non-adjudicative Proceedings

PART 4. TRANSACTIONS WITH PERSONS OTHER THAN CLIENTS

Rule 4.1: Truthfulness in Statements to Others
Rule 4.2: Communication Between Lawyer and Person Represented by Counsel
Rule 4.3: Dealing with Unrepresented Person
Rule 4.4: Respect for Rights of Third Persons

PART 5. LAW FIRMS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Rule 5.1: Responsibilities of Partners, Managers, and Supervisory Lawyers
Rule 5.2: Subordinate Lawyers
Rule 5.3: Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants
Rule 5.4: Professional Independence of a Lawyer
Rule 5.5: Unauthorized Practice
Rule 5.6: Restrictions on Right to Practice
Rule 5.7: Responsibilities Regarding Law-Related Services

PART 6. PUBLIC SERVICE

Rule 6.1: Pro Bono Publico Service
Rule 6.2: Accepting Appointments
Rule 6.3: Membership in Legal Services Organization
Rule 6.4: Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interests
Rule 6.5: Nonprofit and Court-Annexed Limited Legal Services Programs

PART 7. INFORMATION ABOUT LEGAL SERVICES

Rule 7.1: Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services
Rule 7.5: Firm Names and Letterheads

PART 8. MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROFESSION

Rule 8.1: Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters
Rule 8.3: Reporting Professional Misconduct
Rule 8.4: Misconduct
Rule 8.5: Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law

PART 9. NONDISCRIMINATION BY MEMBERS OF THE BAR

Rule 9.1: Nondiscrimination