Ethics & Discipline
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 log in to the Member Portal and choose the ‘Submit an Ethics Question’ link under the Resources tab. 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.
Ethics & Disciplinary Rules
Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct - CURRENT
Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, Part IV, Before July 1, 2018
Ethics & Discipline, Part III and Part IV, Before January 1, 2001
Disciplinary Proceedings
Internal Rules - State Disciplinary Board
Rules of the Clerk of the State Disciplinary Boards
Internal Rules - State Disciplinary Review Board
Special Masters Appointed by the Supreme Court of Georgia
Lawyer Referral Services
Under Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 7.3(c), a lawyer shall not compensate or give anything of value to a person or organization to recommend or secure the lawyer's employment by a client, or as a reward for having made a recommendation resulting in the lawyer's employment by a client.
File a Complaint
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Local and Voluntary Bars
The State Bar of Georgia is not authorized to refer clients to lawyers, but many local and voluntary bar associations offer referrals.
View Local Bar Information