Proposed Ohio Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct

The Ohio Supreme Court has issued a set of proposed rules of professional conduct “reflecting current practices & ethical standards in the legal community which they are asking for feedback on.

A task force appointed by Chief Justice Thomas Moyer in 2003, issued its report recommending rules of conduct more closely conforming to the ABA model rules, and replacing the current Code of Professional Conduct adopted in 1970. ABA model rules serve as a basis for ethical standards in 46 states.

At its initial meeting, the task force had identified six primary benefits resulting from adopting rules of professional responsibility based on the ABA model—one of the most frequently cited being “the substantial reliance on a body of rules that are a better reflection of the current practice of law and the subject of frequent updates,” according to the draft posted. Fifty-four changes are being proposed.

Copies of the proposed rules are posted on the Supreme Court’s website and also being published in the Nov. 14th. Special edition Ohio Official Reports Advance Sheets and the OSBA Report. (Press Release)

Public comments are being accepted until Feb. 15, 2006.