Texas Supreme Court Adopts New Disciplinary Rules

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.  

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.