Supreme Judicial Court Rules
Rules of Professional Conduct

Supreme Judicial Court Rules  Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:07: Rules of Professional Conduct

Effective Date: 06/01/2025
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

Table of Contents

Introductory material

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

  • Rule 2.1: Advisor
  • Rule 2.2: Intermediary. Reserved June 9, 1997, effective January 1, 1998.
  • Rule 2.3: Evaluation for Use by Third Persons
  • Rule 2.4: Lawyer Serving as Third-Party Neutral

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

  • 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

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

  • Rule 6.1: Voluntary Pro Bono Publico 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
  • Rule 7.1: Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services
  • Rule 7.2: Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services; Specific Rules
  • Rule 7.3: Solicitation of Clients

Maintaining the integrity of the profession

Downloads

Contact

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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