The professional conduct of attorneys is generally regulated by each state's rules of professional conduct—which are often written by the state's highest court, and enforced through the disciplinary process administered by the state's bar association. The professional conduct of attorneys is also referred to as legal ethics and professional responsibility.
Attorneys can be disciplined for a variety of reasons, ranging from the failure to pay their bar dues to misappropriating client funds. The grounds upon which an attorney may be disciplined by the state bar association are generally located in the state bar association's disciplinary rules of professional conduct.
Some attorneys who have been disciplined are no longer eligible to practice law. You should inquire about an attorney’s disciplinary history on the state bar association’s website, or by calling the state bar association.
You should not hire an attorney whose license is been suspended or revoked and who is not eligible to practice law in your state. Each state has a disciplinary organization that receives, investigates, and resolves ethics complaints against attorneys licensed in the state.
In Texas, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct, which are promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. These rules outline the ethical and professional responsibilities of attorneys practicing in the state. The State Bar of Texas is responsible for enforcing these rules and administering the disciplinary process. Attorneys can face discipline for various infractions, such as neglecting a legal matter, engaging in conflicts of interest, or misusing client funds. The Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct specify the grounds for disciplinary action. If an attorney is found to have violated these rules, they may face sanctions ranging from a private reprimand to disbarment. The public can check an attorney's disciplinary history through the State Bar of Texas website or by contacting the State Bar directly. It is important to ensure that any attorney you consider hiring is in good standing and eligible to practice law in Texas, as hiring an attorney with a suspended or revoked license can have serious repercussions for your legal matters.
