Home > Actions on Rule Changes and Legal Ethics Opinions
Actions on Rule Changes and Legal Ethics Opinions
- Proposed | amendment to Rule 5.5, Unauthorized Practice Of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law. Comments due May 24.
- Proposed | amendment to Rule 1.18, Duties to Prospective Client, in Comment 6. Comments due May 24.
- Proposed | amendment to Rule 1.17, Sale of Law Practice, in Comment 12. Comments due May 24.
- Proposed | amendments to Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Regulations. Comments due May 1, 2019.
- Proposed | amendment to bylaws changing access to legal services committee from special to standing. Comments due April 5, 2019.
- Proposed | revisions to LEO 1750 on lawyer advertising and solicitation. Comments due April 1, 2019.
- Proposed | revisions to LEO 1872 on virtual law office and use of executive office suites. Comments due April 1, 2019.
- Proposed | LEO 1891 on communication with represented government officials. Comments due April 1, 2019.
- Proposed | LEO 1890 on communications with represented persons. Comments due April 1, 2019.
- Proposed | amendments to Paragraph 13 approved on Mar 6, 2019, by the Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline. Comments due April 8, 2019.
- Proposed | comment to Rule 3.8, Additional Responsibilities of a Prosecutor. Comments due May 21, 2019.
- Proposed | revisions to Rule 4.4, Respect for Rights of Third Persons. Pending with the Standing Committee on Legal Ethics.
- Adopted | Supreme Court of Virginia Amends Rules 1A:1. Effective December 1, 2018.
- Withdrawn | twelve Legal Advertising Opinions issued by the former Standing Committee on Lawyer Advertising and Solicitation
- Proposed | addition to the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia Part 6, § IV concerning the VLRS. Pending approval by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
- Adopted | LEO 1889: Regarding Court-Appointed Lawyers and Parental Rights. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia November 8, 2018. Effective immediately.
- Proposed | revisions to Part 6, §I of the Rules of the Supreme Court of VA on the unauthorized practice of law. Pending approval by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
- Rejected | revisions to Rule 1.10, imputed disqualification: general rule.
- Adopted | revisions to Rule 1.8 regarding conflict of interest: prohibited transactions. Approval by the Supreme Court of Virginia December 12, 2018. Effective February 15, 2019.
- Adopted | amendments to MCLE Opinion 19 regarding lawyer well-being. Effective September 24, 2018.
- Withdrawn | four Legal Ethics Opinions withdrawn by Standing Committee on Legal Ethics on April 3, 2018
- Adopted | LEO 1750 regarding advertising issues. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia on April 20, 2018. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 13 that conform to Chapter 27.2 of title 55 of the Code of Virginia. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Effective June 15, 2018
- Adopted | revisions to Paragraph 3 and 13-23 regarding change of membership for impaired attorneys. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia on October 31, 2018. Effective January 1, 2019.
- Adopted | revisions to Paragraph 13-1 and 13-30 regarding a Lawyer Assistance Program. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia on October 31, 2018. Effective January 1, 2019.
- Adopted | new Paragraph 22 voluntary pro bono publico legal services reporting. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia February 27, 2018. Effective December 1, 2018.
- Adopted | revisions to Paragraph 13-1 and 13-9 concerning assessment of Guardian Ad Litem’s fees and costs. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia on October 31, 2018. Effective January 1, 2019.
- Adopted | revisions to Rule 1.1, Competence. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia on October 31, 2018. Effective immediately.
- Withdrawn | LEO 1888: prosecutor’s duty to disclose evidence that tends to negate the guilt of the accused. Standing Committee on Legal Ethics voted not to send to Council.
- Adopted | LEO 1885: Ethical Considerations for a Lawyer’s Participation in Online Attorney-Client Matching. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia November 8, 2018. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 13 to definitions of burden of proof and Disciplinary Record. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Effective June 15, 2018.
- Adopted | three-year extension of the Clients’ Protection Fund sunset provision. Effective July 1, 2018.
- Adopted | Supreme Court of Virginia amends Part Six, § IV, ¶ 16 RE: Clients’ Protection Fund Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia September 28, 2017. Effective July 1, 2018.
- Adopted | LEO 1887: Duties when a lawyer over whom no one has supervisory authority is impaired. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia on August 30, 2017. Effective immediately.
- Withdrawn | LEO 776: Threatening prosecution in a civil matter.
- Adopted | changes to paragraph 3 modifying status of Emeritus Members allowed to provide pro bono services. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Effective March 1, 2018.
- Adopted | amendments to Rules 7.1-7.5 governing lawyer advertising. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Effective July 1, 2017.
- Adopted | amendments to Clients’ Protection Fund Rules. Approved by VSB Council February 25, 2017. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | LEO 1886: Duty of partners & supervisory lawyers in law firm when another lawyer suffers impairment. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia on December 15, 2016. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | Paragraph 13-24 regarding disbarment, revocation, or suspension in another jurisdiction. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Effective March 1, 2017.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 13.1 regarding suspension for failure to complete professionalism course. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Effective March 1, 2017.
- Adopted | LEOs 1329, 1438, 1584, 1606, 1742, 1792, 1856 and 1869 Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia on November 2, 2016. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | LEO 1884 Conflicts arising from a lawyer-legislator’s employment with a consulting firm. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia on September 30, 2016. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Rules 1.6 (Confidentiality) and 3.3 (Candor). Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia September 30, 2016. Effective December 1, 2016.
- Withdrawn | the Virginia State Bar’s Standing Committee on Legal Ethics withdrew thirteen Legal Ethics Opinions.
- Adopted | State Code Regarding Procedure for Revocation of License Revised. Effective July 1, 2017.
- Adopted | Supreme Court of Virginia amends rule regarding unauthorized practice of law. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia March 1, 2016. Effective May 1, 2016.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 13-11 (Limited Right to Discovery), 13-25 (Reinstatement), and 13-30 (Confidentiality). Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia December 17, 2015. Effective March 1, 2016.
- Adopted | amendments to Rules 1.1 (Competence) and 1.6 (Confidentiality). Amended and approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia December 17, 2015. Effective March 1, 2016.
- Adopted | amendments to Rule 5.5 Comment [1a] and Rule 8.3(e). Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia November 17, 2015. Effective February 1, 2016.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 10 Section IV of the Rules for Integration of the Virginia State Bar. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia October 30, 2015. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | new rule: provision of legal services following determination of major disaster. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia October 30, 2015. Effective January 1, 2016.
- Adopted | new Paragraph 13.4 regarding malpractice insurance requirements in Va. Code Section 54.1-3935(D). Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia August 21, 2015. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 13-4E regarding service on district committees by certain ex-officio members of Council. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia August 21, 2015. Effective immediately.
- Withdrawn | amendment to Bylaws regarding Better Annual Meeting Committee.
- Adopted | Supreme Court of Virginia Amends Military Spouse Provisional Admission Rule. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia February 27, 2015. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | new Rule 5.8. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia February 27, 2015. Effective May 1, 2015.
- Adopted | amendment to Rule 1A:1 Reciprocity: Admission on Motion. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia October 31, 2014. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendment to bylaws regarding Council election procedures. Approved by VSB Council 10/24/14. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to the Clients’ Protection Fund Rules regarding claim limits on payments from the fund. Approved by VSB Council 10/24/14.
- Withdrawn | amendments to Rules 1.1 (Competence) and 1.6 (Confidentiality).
- Withdrawn | Paragraph 13-4 C regarding district committee member’s address of record.
- Withdrawn | amendments to Rules 1.1 (Competence) and 1.6 (Confidentiality).
- Adopted | amendment to Rule 1.10 regarding conflict of interest. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia 07/31/2015. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | addition to VSB and Council Bylaws. Approved by VSB Council 6/12/14. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | changes to Paragraph 17 Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rule. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia May 1, 2014. Effective immediately.
- Withdrawn | changes to Paragraph 3 add e-mail and phone number to address of record.
- Vacated | amendments to UPR 1-101 concerning representation before general district courts. Proposal withdrawn April 8, 2014.
- Adopted | amendments to Rule 5.5 regarding temporary practice by foreign lawyers. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia December 13, 2013. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 13-13 regarding Participation and Disqualification of Counsel. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia January 31, 2014. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendment to Paragraph 13 regarding the definition of “Bar Counsel”. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia January 31, 2014. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 13-26 regarding appeals from Disciplinary Board determinations. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia January 31, 2014. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Rule 1.11, Rule 1.15, and Rule 5.4 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia November 1, 2013. Effective immediately.
- Rejected | amendment to VSB Bylaws regarding composition of Executive Committee.
- Adopted | amendments to Rules 7.1-7.5 of regarding lawyer advertising. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia April 15, 2013. Effective July 1, 2013.
- Adopted | revisions to Clients’ Protection Fund Rules of Procedure. Approved by VSB Council February 23, 2013. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | correction to Paragraph 13-16 DD. Approved by Supreme Court of Virginia December 14, 2012. Effective immediately.
- Vacated | amendments to Rules 7.1-7.5 regarding lawyer advertising. By order of the Supreme Court of Virginia November 29, 2012.
- Adopted | bylaws revisions to election procedures for president-elect and council. Adopted by Council October 19, 2012. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendment to Bylaws to give Diversity Conference chair a seat on the Executive Committee. Approved by VSB Council June 13, 2013. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendment to Paragraph 13 regarding VSB Disciplinary Board. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia April 13, 2012. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Rule 1.15 of Rules of Professional Conduct and Paragraph 20 of Part 6, § IV. Approved by Supreme Court of Virginia June 21, 2011. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | new Rule 1.18 defining a prospective client. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia June 21, 2011. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Virginia Supreme Court Rule 1A:5 regarding corporate counsel. Adopted by Supreme Court of Virginia June 10, 2011. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to bylaws for VSB standing committees. Adopted by Council June 16, 2011. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Virginia Supreme Court Rule 1A:5 regarding corporate counsel pro bono work. Approved by Supreme Court of Virginia April 15, 2011. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 11, regarding VSB annual dues. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia March 9, 2011. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 13 regarding multijurisdictional practice. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia February 17, 2011. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 17 regarding MCLE Rule. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia January 7, 2011. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | Rule 4.2 amendment addressing defendant waiving rights. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia November 1, 2010. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Parts 5 and 5A, Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia regarding appellate procedures. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia April 30, 2010. Effective July 1, 2010.
- Adopted | amendment to Paragraph 13-22, Board Proceedings Upon a Guilty Plea or an Adjudication of a Crime. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia March 19, 2010. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendment to Paragraph 13-10, Processing of Complaints by Bar Counsel. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia March 19, 2010. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 13, dealing with the use of the phrase “Charge of Misconduct.” Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia March 19, 2010. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to Paragraph 10 governing legal ethics and unauthorized practice of law. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia March 19, 2010. Effective immediately.
- Adopted | amendments to the MCLE Regulations include a limitation on pre-recorded CLE programs. Effective November 1, 2011.
- Rejected | Rule 7.4(d) certification as a specialist
- Rejected | Paragraph 17 mailing the annual certification form
- Rejected | Rule 8.4 allowing undisclosed recording under certain circumstances