By Laura Popps

On August 27, 2024, the Texas Supreme Court issued an Order adopting several new disciplinary rules of professional conduct and one new rule of disciplinary procedure. These rules were approved by State Bar members in a rules referendum held in April of this year. Following the referendum, the rules were submitted to the Supreme Court for approval.

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The new rules include amendments to existing rules 1.08 (conflicts - prohibited transactions), 1.09 (conflicts - former clients), 3.09 (prosecutors), 4.03 (dealing with unrepresented persons), 5.01 (duties of supervising lawyer) and 5.05 (unauthorized practice of law), and adoption of new rules 1.10 (imputation of conflicts) and 1.18 (duties to prospective client). The Court also approved a new rule of disciplinary procedure 13.05 (termination of custodianship).

The new Rules will take effect on October 1, 2024.

Laura Popps defends Texas attorneys before the State Bar, advises on legal ethics, and handles criminal appeals. A former prosecutor, Laura has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1999. She then served for ten years as Regional Counsel at the State Bar of Texas’ Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel before founding her own firm. Laura can be reached at laura@poppslaw.com or (512) 865-5185.

Texas Supreme Court Adopts New Disciplinary Rules