Accountability: How to file a bar complaint
When prosecutors engage in misconduct, they violate the bar’s Rules of Professional Responsibility – the ethical rules that govern the legal profession. Each state’s rules are largely similar in substance, though the procedure that each state uses to enforce the rules may differ markedly. In many states, there is a Disciplinary Counsel, Commission or Board – usually an agency of the state bar or the state’s court system – whose job it is to investigate, adjudicate, and recommend punishment for attorneys who violate the state’s Rules of Professional Responsibility. Below, by state, you can find links to information about how to file a bar complaint – sometimes called a “grievance” – in each state. You can also find links to each jurisdiction’s Rules of Professional Conduct, which govern attorney behavior.
Alaska
See the Alaska Bar Association web page, “Complaints Against Attorneys”
Rules: Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct
Arizona
See the State Bar of Arizona web page, “Arizona Lawyer Discipline Process Overview”
Rules: Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct
Arkansas
California
See the State Bar of California web page, “Filing A Complaint”
Rules: California Rules of Professional Conduct
Colorado
See the Colorado Supreme Court web page, “In Case of Dispute”
Rules: Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct
Connecticut
Contact: Office of Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court of Delaware
Rules: Delaware Rules of Professional Conduct
District of Columbia
Contact: Florida Bar’s Department of Lawyer Regulation
Rules: Rules Regulating the Florida Bar
Georgia
Contact: State Bar of Georgia’s Office of General Counsel
Rules: Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct
Hawai’i
Contact: Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Hawai’i
Rules: Hawai’i Rules of Professional Conduct
Idaho
See the Idaho State Bar web page, “Disciplinary Process”
Rules: Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct
Illinois
Contact: Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois
Rules: Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct
Indiana
Contact: Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission
Rules: Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct
Iowa
See the Iowa Judicial Branch web page, “Attorney Discipline”
Rules: Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct
Kansas
Contact: Kansas Supreme Court’s Office of Disciplinary Administrator
Rules: Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct
Kentucky
See the Kentucky Bar Association’s website, “Complaints against Lawyers”
Rules: Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct
Louisiana
Contact: Attorney Grievance Commission of the State of Michigan
Rules: Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct
Minnesota
Contact: Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility
Rules: Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct
Mississippi
See the Mississippi Bar Association web page, “Complaint Procedure”
Rules: Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct
Missouri
See the New Hampshire Supreme Court web page, “Attorney Discipline System”
Rules: New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct
New Jersey
Contact: Disciplinary Board of the New Mexico Supreme Court
Rules: New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct
New York
See the New York State Unified Court System web page, “Complaints About Attorneys”
Rules: New York Rules of Professional Conduct
North Carolina
See the North Carolina State Bar web page, “Filing A Complaint”
Rules: North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct
North Dakota
See the North Dakota Supreme Court web page, “Complaints Against Lawyers”
Rules: North Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct
Ohio
See the Oklahoma Bar Association web page, “Filing A Complaint Against An Attorney”
Rules: Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct
Oregon
Contact: Client Assistance Office of the Oregon State Bar
Rules: Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct
Pennsylvania
See the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania web page, “Report an Attorney”
Rules: Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct
Rhode Island
Contact: State Bar – “Filing a Grievance”
Rules: South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct (see Rule 407)
South Dakota
See the South Dakota Bar web page, “Lawyer Discipline”
Rules: South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct
Tennessee
Contact: Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court
Rules: Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct
Texas
See the Texas State Bar web page, “How to File A Complaint”
Rules: Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct
Utah
Contact: Office of Professional Conduct
Rules: Utah Rules of Professional Conduct (see Chapter 13)
Vermont
See the Vermont Supreme Court web page, “Complaint Brochure”
Rules: Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct
Virginia
See the Virginia State Bar web page, “How to File a Misconduct Inquiry About A Lawyer”
Rules: Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct
Washington
Contact: Washington State Bar “Concerns About a Lawyer”
Rules: Washington Rules of Professional Conduct
West Virginia
Contact: Office of Disciplinary Counsel
Rules: West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct
Wisconsin
See the Wisconsin Court System web page, “Lawyer Regulation”
Rules: Wisconsin Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys
Wyoming
See the Wyoming State Bar web page, “Lawyer Complaints”