Notice Inviting Comment
Proposed Amendments to Rule 1.5 and Rule 6.5 of the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct
NOTICE
The Supreme Judicial Court's
Rule's Committee Invites Comments on Proposed Amendments to
Rules 1.5 and 6.5 of the
Massachusetts
Rules of Professional Conduct
The Supreme Judicial Court 's Rules Committee invites comments on proposed amendments to Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5 and 6.5. The proposed amendments were prepared by the Court's Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct (Committee) at the request of the Court. The Court accepted a recommendation made by its Ad Hoc Committee to Study Mandatory Fee Arbitration that Rule 1.5 be amended to require a written fee agreement before or within a reasonable time after a lawyer commences representation.
The proposed amendment to Rule 1.5 (b) would require a written fee agreement before or within a reasonable time after a lawyer commences representation, except when the lawyer will charge a regularly represented client on the same basis or rate. The proposed amendment to Rule 6.5 exempts lawyers who provide certain pro bono legal services.
The proposed amendments are linked to below. Comments on the proposed amendments should be directed to Christine P. Burak, Secretary, Supreme Judicial Court Rules Committee, Supreme Judicial Court , John Adams Courthouse, One Pemberton Square ,
- Text of Mass. R. Prof. C. Rule 1.5 and Rule 6.5 with proposed amendments Text of Mass. R. Prof. C. Rule 1.5 and Rule 6.5 with proposed amendments
- Blacklined version showing revisions to Mass. R. Prof. C. Rule 1.5 and Rule 6.5