Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct

 

The Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct

As adopted by the Colorado Supreme Court
on May 7, 1992,
effective January 1, 1993,
As amended through Rule Change 2022(13),
effective September 8, 2022

 

 

 

 SYNOPSIS

Preamble and Scope

Rule 1.0 Terminology

CLIENT-LAWYER RELATIONSHIP

Rule 1.1 Competence

Rule 1.2  Scope of Representation and Allocation of AuthorityBetween Client and Lawyer.

Rule 1.3 Diligence

Rule 1.4 Communication

Rule 1.5 Fees

Rule 1.6 Confidentiality of Information

Rule 1.7 Conflict of Interest: Current Clients

Rule 1.8 Conflict of Interest: Current Clients: Specific Rules

Rule 1.9 Duties to Former Clients

Rule 1.10 Imputation of Conflicts of Interest: General Rule

Rule 1.11 Special Conflicts of Interest for Former and Current Government
Officers and Employees

Rule 1.12 Former Judge, Arbitrator, Mediator or Other Third-Party Neutral

Rule 1.13 Organization as Client

Rule 1.14 Client with Diminished Capacity 

Rule 1.15. Safekeeping Property
     Repealed and readopted as Rules 1.15A - 1.15E, effective June 17, 2014.

Rule 1.15A  General Duties of Lawyers Regarding Property of Clients and Third Parties

Rule 1.15B Account Requirements

Rule 1.15C Use of Trust Accounts

Rule 1.15D Required Records

Rule 1.15E Approved Institutions

Rule 1.16 Declining or Terminating Representation

Rule 1.16A Client File Retention

Rule 1.17 Sale of Law Practice

Rule 1.18 Duties to Prospective Client

Rule Change 2020(19) has been issued. It updates Rules 1.6 and 1.15A of the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.

     It is effective  January 1, 2021 and posted on the court’s website.

 

COUNSELOR

Rule 2.1 Advisor

Rule 2.2 Intermediary
     Repealed April 12, 2007, effective January 1, 2008. 

Rule 2.3 Evaluation for Use by Third Persons

Rule 2.4 Lawyer Serving as Third-Party Neutral

 

ADVOCATE

Rule 3.1 Meritorious Claims and Contentions

Rule 3.2 Expediting Litigation

Rule 3.3 Candor Toward the Tribunal

Rule 3.4 Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel

Rule 3.5 Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal

Rule 3.6 Trial Publicity

Rule 3.7 Lawyer as Witness

Rule 3.8 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor

Rule 3.9 Advocate in Nonadjudicative Proceedings 

TRANSACTIONS WITH PERSONS OTHER THAN CLIENTS

Rule 4.1 Truthfulness in Statements to Others

Rule 4.2 Communication with Person Represented by Counsel

Rule 4.3 Dealing with Unrepresented Person

Rule 4.4 Respect for Rights of Third Persons

Rule 4.5 Threatening Prosecution

 LAWFIRMS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Rule 5.1 Responsibilities of a Partner or Supervisory Lawyer

Rule 5.2 Responsibilities of a Subordinate Lawyer

Rule 5.3 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants

Rule 5.3A Responsibilities Regarding LLPs

Rule 5.4 Professional Independence of a Lawyer

Rule 5.5 Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law

Rule 5.6 Restrictions on Right to Practice

Rule 5.7 Responsibilities Regarding Law-Related Services

 PUBLIC SERVICE

Rule 6.1 Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service

Rule 6.2 Accepting Appointments

Rule 6.3 Membership in Legal Services Organization

Rule 6.4 Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interest

Rule 6.5 Nonprofit and Court-Annexed Limited Legal Services Programs

 INFORMATION ABOUT LEGAL SERVICES

Rule 7.1 Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services

Rule 7.2 Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services: Specific Rules

Rule 7.3 Solicitation of Clients

Rule 7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice

Rule 7.5 Firm Names and Letterheads

Rule 7.6 Political Contributions to Obtain Legal Engagements or Appointments by Judges

 

MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROFESSION

Rule 8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters

Rule 8.2 Judicial and Legal Official

Rule 8.3 Reporting Professional Misconduct

Rule 8.4 Misconduct

Rule 8.5 Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law

 

HOW KNOWN AND CITED

Rule 9 Title—How Known and Cited