Professional Guidelines
An agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia
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Rules and Regulations
Rules of Professional Conduct
Preamble: A Lawyer's Responsibilities
Cross Reference Table
Rules 1.1 - 1.18 - Client-Lawyer Relationship
Rule 1.1
Rule 1.2
Rule 1.3
Rule 1.4
Rule 1.5
Rule 1.6
Rule 1.7
Rule 1.8
Rule 1.9
Rule 1.10
Rule 1.11
Rule 1.12
Rule 1.13
Rule 1.14
Rule 1.15
Rule 1.16
Rule 1.17
Rule 1.18
Rules 2.1 - 2.11 - Counselor and Third Party Neutral
Rule 2.1
Rule 2.2
Rule 2.3
Rule 2.4
Rule 2.10
Rule 2.11
Rules 3.1 - 3.9 - Advocate
Rule 3.1
Rule 3.2
Rule 3.3
Rule 3.4
Rule 3.5
Rule 3.6
Rule 3.7
Rule 3.8
Rule 3.9
Rules 4.1 - 4.4 - Transactions With Persons Other Than Clients
Rule 4.1
Rule 4.2
Rule 4.3
Rule 4.4
Rules 5.1 - 5.8 - Law Firms and Associations
Rule 5.1
Rule 5.2
Rule 5.3
Rule 5.4
Rule 5.5
Rule 5.6
Rule 5.7
Rule 5.8
Rules 6.1 - 6.5 - Public Service
Rule 6.1
Rule 6.2
Rule 6.3
Rule 6.4
Rule 6.5
Rules 7.1 - 7.5 - Information About Legal Services
Rule 7.1
Rule 7.2
Rule 7.3
Rule 7.4
Rule 7.5
Rules 8.1 - 8.5 - Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession
Rule 8.1
Rule 8.2
Rule 8.3
Rule 8.4
Rule 8.5
Legal Ethics Opinions
Unauthorized Practice of Law Opinions
Organization & Government of the Virginia State Bar
1. Name
2. Membership
3. Classes of Members
4. Officers
5. The Council
6. Election of Council
7. Meetings of the Council
8. Annual Meeting of the Virginia State Bar
9. Powers of the Council
10. Promulgation of Legal Ethics, Unauthorized Practice of Law Opinions, and Rules of Court; Informal Staff Opinions of Ethics Counsel; and Complaints of Unauthorized Practice of Law
11. Dues
12. Disbursements
13. Procedure for Disciplining, Suspending, and Disbarring Attorneys
13-1 Definitions
13-1.1 Burden of Proof
13-2 Authority of the Courts
13-3 General Administrative Authority of Council
13-4 Establishment of District Committees
13-5 Authority and Duties of COLD
13-6 Disciplinary Board
13-7 District Committees
13-8 Bar Counsel
13-9 Clerk of the Disciplinary System
13-10 Processing of Complaints by Bar Counsel
13-11 Limited Right to Discovery
13-12 Substantial Compliance, Notice and Evidentiary Rulings
13-13 Participation and Disqualification of Counsel
13-14 Disqualification of District Committee Member or Board Member
13-15 Subcommittee Action
13-16 District Committee Proceedings
13-17 Perfecting an Appeal of a District Committee Determination by the Respondent
13-18 Board Proceedings Upon Certification
13-19 Board Proceedings Upon Appeal
13-20 Board Proceedings Upon Certification for Sanction Determination
13-21 Board Proceedings Upon a First Offender Plea
13-22 Board Proceedings Upon a Guilty Plea or an Adjudication of a Crime
13-23 Board Proceedings Upon Impairment
13-24 Board Proceedings Upon Disbarment, Revocation or Suspension in Another Jurisdiction
13-25 Board Proceedings for Reinstatement
13-26 Appeal from Board Determinations
13-27 Resignation
13-28 Consent to Revocation
13-29 Duties of Disbarred or Suspended Respondent
13-30 Confidentiality of Disciplinary Records and Proceedings
13-31 Dismissal of Complaints and Charges of Misconduct Upon Revocation Without Consent, or Upon Death
13.1 Suspension for Failure to Complete Professionalism Course
13.2 Suspension for Failure to Complete Continuing Legal Education Requirement
13.4 Insurance coverage requirement for respondents under Va. Code § 54.1-3935(C)
14. Professional Corporations, Professional Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Limited Liability Entities). (Limited Liabilities Entities).
15. Third Year Student Rule
16. Clients' Protection Fund
17. Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Regulations
18. Financial Responsibility
19. Procedure for the Administrative Suspension of a Member
20. Maintenance of Trust Accounts Notice of Election Requirements
21. Computerized Legal Research Service Rule
22. Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Legal Services Reporting
23. Attorney Wellness Fund
Reciprocity: Admission on Motion
Pro Hac Vice
Corporate Counsel Limited Admission and Registration
Foreign Attorneys — Registered Military Legal Assistance Attorneys
Foreign Legal Consultant
Military Spouse Provisional Admission
Virginia Legal Aid Counsel
Bylaws of the Virginia State Bar and Council
Unauthorized Practice Rules
Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Regulations
Clients’ Protection Fund Rules
Regulations of Attorney Real Estate Settlement Agents
Virginia Licensed Legal Aid Society Regulations
Principles of Professionalism
Provision of Legal Services Following Determination of Major Disaster
Actions on Rule Changes and Legal Ethics Opinions
The Virginia State Bar
Professional Guidelines
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1. Name—
The name of the Organization shall be the Virginia State Bar.
Updated: March 23, 2010