Ethics & Discipline Overview

Georgia lawyers are bound by strict rules of ethics in all of their professional dealings. The Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct help define a lawyer’s obligations to clients, to the judicial system, and to the public.

Although the Supreme Court of Georgia retains ultimate authority to regulate the legal profession, the State Bar of Georgia’s Office of the General Counsel serves as the Court’s administrative arm to investigate and prosecute claims that a lawyer has violated the ethics rules.

The Rules of Professional Conduct are found at Part IV, Chapter 1 of the Bar Rules. Part IV, Chapter 2 contains the procedural rules for disciplinary actions against lawyers. In addition to the Rules, the Bar and the Supreme Court periodically issue Formal Advisory Opinions that clarify a lawyer’s obligations in certain situations. A complete list of Formal Advisory Opinions follows Part IV, Chapter 3 of the Bar Rules.

Lawyers who would like to discuss an ethics dilemma with a member of the Office of the General Counsel staff should contact the Ethics Helpline at 404-527-8741, 800-682-9806 or log in and submit your question by email. Members of the public who believe that a Georgia lawyer has violated the rules of ethics should contact the Bar’s Client Assistance Program at 800-334-6865.