The American Bar Association has promulgated the Model Rules of Professional Conduct which, while formally only a recommendation by a private body, have been influential in many jurisdictions.
The Model Rules address many topics which are found in state ethics rules, including the client-lawyer relationship, duties of a lawyer as advocate in adversary proceedings, dealings with persons other than clients, law firms and associations, public service, advertising, and maintaining the integrity of the profession.
Respect of client confidence, candor toward the tribunal, truthfulness in statements to others, and professional independence are some of the defining features of legal ethics.
Some U.S. states, including New York, require applicants seeking to become attorneys to have taken a course in professional responsibility during law school.
Lawyers who fail to comply with local rules of ethics may be subjected to discipline ranging from private (non-public) reprimand to disbarment.
341 which is principal legislation and the Advocates (Professional conducts and Etiquette) Regulations, 2018 (Government Notice No.
[5] In New South Wales, reforms commencing from July 1, 2015, brought a uniform regulatory system to the legal profession regarding billing arrangements, discipline procedures and complaints handling processing.