Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct

Part IV - Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct (Current)

CHAPTER 1 GEORGIA RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ENFORCEMENT THEREOF

Rule 4-101. Enforcement of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct
Rule 4-102. Disciplinary Action; Levels of Discipline; Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct
Contents
Preamble: A Lawyer's Responsibilities
Scope

PART ONE - CLIENT LAWYER RELATIONSHIP
Rule 1.0 Terminology and Definitions
Rule 1.1 Competence
Rule 1.2 Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Client and Lawyer
Rule 1.3 Diligence
Rule 1.4 Communication
Rule 1.5 Fees
Rule 1.6 Confidentiality of Information
Rule 1.7 Conflict of Interest: General Rule
Rule 1.8 Conflict of Interest: Prohibited Transactions
Rule 1.9 Conflict of Interest: Former Client
Rule 1.10 Imputed Disqualification: General Rule
Rule 1.11 Successive Government and Private Employment
Rule 1.12 Former Judge or Arbitrator
Rule 1.13 Organization as Client
Rule 1.14 Client With Diminished Capacity
Rule 1.15 (I) Safekeeping Property - General
Rule 1.15 (II) Safekeeping Property - Trust Account and IOLTA
Rule 1.15 (III) Record Keeping; Trust Account Overdraft Notification; Examination of Records
Rule 1.16 Declining or Terminating Representation
Rule 1.17 Sale of Law Practice
Rule 1.18 Duties to Prospective Client

PART TWO - COUNSELOR
Rule 2.1 Advisor
Rule 2.2 This rule is reserved.
Rule 2.3 Evaluation for Use by Third Persons
Rule 2.4 Lawyer Serving as Third Party Neutral

PART THREE - ADVOCATE
Rule 3.1 Meritorious Claims and Contentions
Rule 3.2 Expediting Litigation
Rule 3.3 Candor toward the Tribunal
Rule 3.4 Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel
Rule 3.5 Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal
Rule 3.6 Trial Publicity
Rule 3.7 Lawyer as Witness
Rule 3.8 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor
Rule 3.9 Advocate in Nonadjudicative Proceedings

PART FOUR - TRANSACTIONS WITH PERSONS OTHER THAN CLIENTS
Rule 4.1 Truthfulness in Statements to Others
Rule 4.2 Communication with Person Represented by Counsel
Rule 4.3 Dealing with Unrepresented Person
Rule 4.4 Respect for Rights of Third Persons

PART FIVE - LAW FIRMS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Rule 5.1 Responsibilities of Partners, Managers and Supervisory Lawyers
Rule 5.2 Responsibilities of a Subordinate Lawyer
Rule 5.3 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants
Rule 5.4 Professional Independence of a Lawyer
Rule 5.5 Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
Rule 5.6 Restrictions on Right to Practice
Rule 5.7 Responsibilities Regarding Law-related Services

PART SIX - PUBLIC SERVICE
Rule 6.1 Voluntary Pro Bono Public Service
Rule 6.2 Accepting Appointments
Rule 6.3 Membership in Legal Services Organization
Rule 6.4 Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interests
Rule 6.5 Nonprofit and Court-Annexed Limited Legal Services Programs

PART SEVEN - INFORMATION ABOUT LEGAL SERVICES
Rule 7.1 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services
Rule 7.2 Advertising
Rule 7.3 Direct Contact with Prospective Clients
Rule 7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice
Rule 7.5 Firm Names and Letterheads

PART EIGHT - MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROFESSION
Rule 8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters
Rule 8.2 Judicial and Legal Officials
Rule 8.3 Reporting Professional Misconduct
Rule 8.4 Misconduct
Rule 8.5 Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law

PART NINE - MISCELLANEOUS
Rule 9.1 Reporting Requirements
Rule 9.2 Restrictions on Filing Disciplinary Complaints
Rule 9.3 Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities
Rule 9.4 Jurisdiction and Reciprocal Discipline
Rule 9.5 Lawyer as a Public Official

Rule 4-103. Multiple Violations
Rule 4-104. Mental Incapacity and Substance Abuse
Rule 4-105. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-106. Conviction of a Crime; Suspension and Disbarment
Rule 4-107. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-108. Conduct Constituting Threat of Harm to Clients or Public; Emergency Suspension
Rule 4-109. Refusal or Failure to Appear for Reprimand; Suspension
Rule 4-110. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-111. Audit for Cause

CHAPTER 2 DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

Rule 4-201. State Disciplinary Board
Rule 4-201.1 State Disciplinary Review Board
Rule 4-202. Receipt of Grievances; Initial Review by Bar Counsel
Rule 4-203. Powers and Duties
Rule 4-203.1. Uniform Service Rule
Rule 4-204. Investigation and Disposition by State Disciplinary Board-Generally
Rule 4-204.1. Notice of Investigation
Rule 4-204.2. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-204.3. Answer to Notice of Investigation Required
Rule 4-204.4. Finding of Probable Cause; Referral to Special Master
Rule 4-204.5. Letters of Instruction
Rule 4-205. Confidential Discipline; In General
Rule 4-206. Confidential Discipline; Contents
Rule 4-207. Letters of Formal Admonition and Confidential Reprimands; Notification and Right of Rejection
Rule 4-208. Confidential Discipline; Effect in Event of Subsequent Discipline
Rule 4-208.1. Notice of Discipline
Rule 4-208.2. Notice of Discipline; Contents; Service
Rule 4-208.3. Rejection of Notice of Discipline
Rule 4-208.4. Formal Complaint Following Notice of Rejection of Discipline
Rule 4-209. Docketing by Supreme Court; Appointment of Special Master; Challenges to Special Master
Rule 4-209.1. Coordinating Special Master
Rule 4-209.2. Special Masters
Rule 4-209.3 Powers and Duties of the Coordinating Special Master
Rule 4-210. Powers and Duties of Special Masters
Rule 4-211. Formal Complaint; Service
Rule 4-211.1 Dismissal after Formal Complaint
Rule 4-212. Answer of Respondent; Discovery
Rule 4-213. Evidentiary Hearing
Rule 4-214. Report of the Special Master
Rule 4-215. Powers and Duties of the State Disciplinary Review Board
Rule 4-216. Proceedings Before the State Disciplinary Review Board
Rule 4-217. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-218. Judgments
Rule 4-219. Publication and Protective Orders
Rule 4-220. Notice of Punishment or Acquittal; Administration of Reprimands
Rule 4-221. Hearing Procedures
Rule 4.221.1 Confidentiality of Investigatons and Proceedings
Rule 4-221.2 Burden of Proof; Evidence
Rule 4-221.3 Pleadings and Communications Privileged
Rule 4-222. Limitation
Rule 4-223. Advisory Opinions
Rule 4-224. Expungement of Records
Rule 4-225. Jurisdiction
Rule 4-226. Immunity
Rule 4-227. Petitions for Voluntary Discipline
Rule 4-228. Receiverships

CHAPTER 3 This Chapter is Reserved

Rule 4-301. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-302. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-303. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-304. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-305. This rule is reserved.
Rule 4-306. This rule is reserved.

CHAPTER 4 ADVISORY OPINIONS

Rule 4-401. Informal Advisory Opinions
Rule 4-402. The Formal Advisory Opinion Board
Rule 4-403. Formal Advisory Opinions
Rule 4-404. Immunity