Model Rules of Professional Conduct

About the Model Rules

The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct  were adopted by the ABA House of Delegates in 1983. They serve as models for the ethics rules of most jurisdictions. Before the adoption of the Model Rules, the ABA model was the 1969 Model Code of Professional Responsibility. Preceding the Model Code were the 1908 Canons of Professional Ethics (last amended in 1963).

• Model Rules Table of Contents
• Purchase a copy
• The Model Rules of Professional Conduct and Model Code of Judicial Conduct are available for Apple iOS devices like iPad, iPhone and iPod.  Download the “rulebook” app from the App Store. You can then locate and purchase both our apps under the category of ABA Model Rules.
• Also available - Annotated Model Rules of Professional Conduct

Discounts are available for books ordered in bulk. Contact the ABA Service Center at 1-800-285-2221 for more information.

For reprint permission please visit the ABA Reprint, Licensing and Permissions webpage for more information.

Implementation of Model Rules Changes

The Center for Professional Responsibility Policy Implementation Committee assist states in their implementation of changes to the Model Rules. Its site includes a chart on the status of each jurisdiction's review of the Rule changes.

A Legislative History

This Legislative History traces the Model Rules of Professional Conduct (Model Rules) from the appointment of the ABA Commission on Evaluation of Professional Standards (" Kutak Commission") in 1977 through the year 2005. It includes the first presentation of the Model Rules format to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, the adoption of the Model Rules, and the many amendments to the Model Rules that have been adopted or proposed through August 2005.

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Jurisdictions That Have Adopted the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct 

To date, California is the only jurisdiction that does not have professional conduct rules that follow the format of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

• Alphabetical List of Jurisdictions Adopting Model Rules
• Links to State Ethics Rules
• State Adoption of Model Rule Comments

Restatement Comparison

• Comparison of the Model Rules to the Restatement of the Law Governing Lawyers
• Comparison of the Restatement of the Law Governing Lawyers to the Model Rules
• Lawyer Law: Comparing the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct with the ALI Restatement (Third) of the Law Governing Lawyers (OUT OF PRINT)

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam

See the National Conference of Bar Examiners Web site.

Most Recent Changes to the Model Rules

August 2016

• Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  Changes to Model Rule 8.4

February 2016

• Section of International Law
  Changes to Model Rule 5.5

February 2013

• Commission on Ethics 20/20
  Commission reviewed the Model Rules in the context of advances in technology and global legal practice developments.

August 2012

• Commission on Ethics 20/20
  Commission reviewed the Model Rules in the context of advances in technology and global legal practice developments.

August 2009

• Background and Resources
• Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  Changes to Rule 1.10

February 2009

• Background and Resources
• Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  Changes to Rules 1.0 and 1.10

August 2002

• Commission on Multijurisdictional Practice
  Changes to Rules 5.5 and 8.5

• Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  Changes to Rules 7.2 and 7.5

February 2002

• Ethics 2000 Commission
  Ethics 2000 conducted a review of the entire Model Rules.