Proposed Rules Archives

• Proposed Changes to RPC 8.4 - Misconduct (in Word Format)
• Comments Received for RPC 8.4 - Misconduct

Suggested Amendments to

RULE 8.4 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC)

A. Proponent

Washington State Bar Association

B. Spokespersons

Mark Fucile, Chair, WSBA Committee on Professional Ethics

Fucile & Reising LLP

Jeanne Marie Clavere

Professional Responsibility Counsel
Washington State Bar Association

C. Purpose

RPC 8.4 specifies professional misconduct for Washington lawyers if they commit or engage in certain types of prohibited conduct. The suggested amendments to (g) and (h) would add veterans and members of the military to the anti-discrimination and anti-prejudice provisions of the rule, which already includes sex, race, age, creed, religion, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status. The suggested amendment incorporates the language from the Washington Law Against Discrimination, RCW 49.60, which was amended in 2007 to add “honorably discharged veteran or military status” as a protected category. Amending RPC 8.4 (g) and (h) would make the Rules of Professional Conduct consistent with state law.