What are the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct?
The ABA has had some form of model ethics standards for lawyers since 1908. The Model Rules of Professional Conduct were adopted by the ABA House of Delegates on August 2, 1983, and have been amended on numerous occasions since, including a major revision in 2002. These standards serve as models for state rules governing lawyers and their relationships with their clients, the courts and third parties. Most of the states have enacted rules based on the Model Rules. The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the ethics opinions interpreting them are advisory only. The ethics rules, laws and court decisions in each jurisdiction are controlling.
