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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
- Rules 2.1 - 2.11 - Counselor and Third Party Neutral
- Rules 3.1 - 3.9 - Advocate
- Rules 4.1 - 4.4 - Transactions With Persons Other Than Clients
- Rules 5.1 - 5.8 - Law Firms and Associations
- Rules 6.1 - 6.5 - Public Service
- Rules 7.1 - 7.5 - Information About Legal Services
- Rules 8.1 - 8.5 - Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession
Legal Ethics Opinions
Unauthorized Practice of Law Opinions
Organization & Government of the Virginia State Bar
- 1. Name
- 2. Membership
- 3. Classes of Membership
- 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
  - 13-2 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
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
Bylaws of the Virginia State Bar and Council
Unauthorized Practice Rules
- Practice of Law in the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Unauthorized Practice Rule 1 - Practice Before Tribunals
- Unauthorized Practice Rule 2 - Lay Adjusters
- Unauthorized Practice Rule 3 - Collection Agencies
- Unauthorized Practice Rule 4 - Estate Planning and Settlement
- Unauthorized Practice Rule 5 - Tax Practice
- Unauthorized Practice Rule 6 - Real Estate Practice
- Unauthorized Practice Rule 7 - Title Insurance
- Unauthorized Practice Rule 8 - Trade Associations
- Unauthorized Practice Rule 9 - Administrative Agency Practice
Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Regulations
MCLE Forms 2, 3 and 4
Clients’ Protection Fund Rules
Attorney Trust Account Regulations
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

The Virginia State Bar

Professional Guidelines

Home > Actions on Rule Changes and Legal Ethics Opinions > new Rule 5.8.

Adopted | new Rule 5.8. Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia February 27, 2015. Effective May 1, 2015.

View the Current Rule

Rule 5.8 Procedures For Notification to Clients When a Lawyer Leaves a Law Firm or When a Law Firm Dissolves

view the Supreme Court of Virginia order (PDF file)

The proposed rule codifies a number of the suggestions from LEOs on departing lawyers’ obligations into more concrete steps to follow.

Updated: January 5, 2017