New Model of Attorney Regulation under Consideration

Proactive management-based regulation (PMBR) is an approach to attorney regulation that has been used in parts of Australia, England, Wales, and Canada; most recently, some bar associations in the United States are considering adopting PMBR.

As the name suggests, PMBR places an emphasis on proactive efforts, including self-evaluations and education, to ensure compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct rather than reactive investigation and prosecution to enforce compliance. PMBR also seeks to share information about best practices, with the hope of improving attorney conduct and professional responsibility before a complaint or investigation occurs.