California Continues its Work to Update its Ethics Rules (and switch to the ABA Model Rules Format) – Professional Responsibility: A Contemporary Approach

California Continues its Work to Update its Ethics Rules (and switch to the ABA Model Rules Format) – Professional Responsibility: A Contemporary Approach
by Laurel Terry
California’s Second Commission for the Revision of the Rules of Professional Conduct continues its work to update California’s ethics rules (and switch to the ABA Model Rules format).  The Commission’s website includes a page where it regularly posts its draft rules for comment.  For example, in April 2016 the Commission posted its proposed drafts of Rules 1.2, 1.7, and 7.1-7.5, among other rules.  In May 2016 the Commission posted drafts of Rules 3.3-3.6 and a proposed rule dealing with prosecutorial responsibilities.    The June 2016 column by State Bar of California President David Pasternak urged California lawyers to submit their comments to the Commission.  Given California’s size and influence, this work deserves careful consideration by all lawyers.