Effective Date: | 06/01/2025 |
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Updates: |
Amended December 22, 2010, effective March 15, 2011
Amended March 26, 2015, effective July 1, 2015
Amended January 7, 2016, effective April 1, 2016
Amended March 10, 2016, effective May 1, 2016
Amended June 20, 2016, effective August 1, 2016
Amended November 16, 2017, effective December 1, 2017
Amended June 7, 2018, effective September 1, 2018 (480 Mass. 1315)
Amended July 13, 2022, effective October 1, 2022
Amended January 11, 2024, effective September 1, 2024
Amended March 12, 2024, effective April 1, 2024
Amended March 20, 2025, effective June 1, 2025
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- This page, Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:07: Rules of Professional Conduct, is offered by
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- Trial Court Law Libraries
- Massachusetts Court System
Supreme Judicial Court Rules
Rules of Professional Conduct
Supreme Judicial Court Rules Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:07: Rules of Professional Conduct
Contact
Trial Court Law Libraries
Online
Email a reference librarian:
Email Trial Court Law Libraries at lawlibraries@jud.state.ma.us
Table of Contents
Introductory material
- Preamble and Scope
- Rule 1.0: Terminology
Client-lawyer relationship
- 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: Current Clients
- Rule 1.8: Conflict of Interest: Current Clients: Specific Rules
- Rule 1.9: Duties to Former Clients
- Rule 1.10: Imputed Disqualification: General Rule
- Rule 1.11: Special Conflicts of Interest for Former and Current Government Officers and Employees
- Rule 1.12: Former Judge, Arbitrator, Mediator or Other Third-Party Neutral
- Rule 1.13: Organization as Client
- Rule 1.14: Client with Diminished Capacity
- Rule 1.15: Safekeeping Property
- Rule 1.15A: Client Files
- Rule 1.16: Declining or Terminating Representation
- Rule 1.17: Sale of Law Practice
- Rule 1.18: Duties to Prospective Client
Counselor
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
Transactions with persons other than clients
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 Assistance
- 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
Public service
Information about legal services
Maintaining the integrity of the profession
Downloads
Open PDF file, 2.45 MB,
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rules and Orders
(English, PDF 2.45 MB)
Contact
Online
Email a reference librarian:
Email Trial Court Law Libraries at lawlibraries@jud.state.ma.us
Updates: |
Amended December 22, 2010, effective March 15, 2011
Amended March 26, 2015, effective July 1, 2015
Amended January 7, 2016, effective April 1, 2016
Amended March 10, 2016, effective May 1, 2016
Amended June 20, 2016, effective August 1, 2016
Amended November 16, 2017, effective December 1, 2017
Amended June 7, 2018, effective September 1, 2018 (480 Mass. 1315)
Amended July 13, 2022, effective October 1, 2022
Amended January 11, 2024, effective September 1, 2024
Amended March 12, 2024, effective April 1, 2024
Amended March 20, 2025, effective June 1, 2025
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