The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct were adopted by the ABA House of Delegates in 1983. They serve as models for the ethics rules of most states. Before the adoption of the Model Rules, the ABA model was the 1969 Model Code of Professional Responsibility. Preceding the Model Code were the 1908 Canons of Professional Ethics (last amended in 1963).

Current Model Rules

Model Rules text online
Purchase a hard copy online or call the ABA Service Center at 800-285-2221 and ask for PC #2150023.

Discounts are available for books ordered in bulk. Special consideration is given to state bars, CLE programs and other bar-related organizations. Contact Denise Eichhorn, ABA Publications Planning and Marketing, American Bar Association, 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610.

Also available - Annotated Model Rules of Professional Conduct

Most Recent Changes to the Model Rules

February 2009

• Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  Changes to Rules 1.0 and 1.10

February 2008

• Criminal Justice Section
  Changes to Rule 3.8

February 2007

• Standing Committee on Client Protection
  Change to Rule 5.5 Comment

August 2003

• Task Force on Corporate Responsibility
  
• Changes to Rules 1.6 and 1.13, scroll down for Reports 119A and B

August 2002

• Commission on Multijurisdictional Practice
  Changes to Rules 5.5 and 8.5

• Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  Changes to Rules 7.2 and 7.5

February 2002

• Ethics 2000 Commission
  Ethics 2000 conducted a review of the entire Model Rules.

Implementation of Model Rules Changes

• CPR Policy Implementation Committee
  The Committee is assisting states in their implementation of the recent Ethics 2000, Multijurisdictional Practice Commission and Ethics Committee changes to the Model Rules. Its site includes a chart on the status of each state's review of the Rule changes.

Legislative History of the Model Rules

Includes all changes through 2005.

• Kutak Commission Drafts
  These preliminary drafts produced by the Kutak Commission during the process of writing the Model Rules in 1980 - 1983 are referenced in the Legislative History.

State Adoption of Model Rules

To date, California is the only states that do not have professional conduct rules that follow the format of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

• Alphabetical List of States Adopting Model Rules
• Chronological List of States Adopting Model Rules
• Links to State Ethics Rules
• State Adoption of Model Rule Comments

Restatement Comparison

• Comparison of the Model Rules to the Restatement of the Law Governing Lawyers
• Comparison of the Restatement of the Law Governing Lawyers to the Model Rules
• Lawyer Law: Comparing the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct with the ALI Restatement (Third) of the Law Governing Lawyers

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam

• See the National Conference of Bar Examiners Web site.