Introduction
The legal profession in Texas is the ONLY profession that regulates itself. The State Bar supervised by the Texas Supreme Court is the “corporation” and all of us are the shareholders in this self-governance process. There are eight new amendments to the Rules of Disciplinary Procedure coming up for approval this spring.
Although the Bar has made it easy to vote, many lawyers just don’t. I encourage you to look at these amendments and to vote. However, be informed and you can do that through a series of webinars in January and February.
Education and voting
You can register by clicking here. And it is a public form where public input is invited.
The detailed rules were published in the January 2021 Texas Bar Journal Webinar dates are January 14 and 26, and February 9. All at 1:00PM. Detailed information on what is about to change in our self-governance can be found here and the proposals with detailed summaries are here. Voting can be done electronically starting Feb 2, 2021 and ends on Mar 4, 2021.
Summary
Rule proposals address the following subjects:
| A. | Scope and Objectives of Representation; Clients with Diminished Capacity |
| B. | Confidentiality of Information – Exception to Permit Disclosure to Secure Legal Ethics Advice |
| C. | Confidentiality of Information – Exception to Permit Disclosure to Prevent Client Death by Suicide |
| D. | Conflict of Interest Exceptions for Nonprofit and Limited Pro Bono Legal Services |
| E. | Information About Legal Services (Lawyer Advertising and Solicitation) |
| F. | Reporting Professional Misconduct and Reciprocal Discipline for Federal Court or Federal Agency Discipline |
| G. | Assignment of Judges in Disciplinary Complaints and Related Provisions |
| H. | Voluntary Appointment of Custodian Attorney for Cessation of Practice |
References
State Bar of Texas. (2021). The 2021 rules vote. The Texas Bar Journal, 84(1), 54. https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=21412&i=687772&p=54
