Ethics Page for the Public

The Washington State Bar Association is an extension of the Washington State Supreme Court, which regulates the ethical conduct of lawyers.

If you are a lawyer, see the Lawyers' Ethics Page.

A lawyer's ethical conduct is governed by rules adopted by the Supreme Court, the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC).  The Office of Disciplinary Counsel is the department of the Bar Association charged with investigating and prosecuting instances of ethical misconduct by Washington lawyers.

If you believe that a lawyer has acted unethically, you may file a grievance with the Bar Association's Office of Disciplinary Counsel.  Filing a grievance is a very serious matter because you are charging a lawyer with unethical conduct.  

Before you consider filing a grievance, and for a discussion of what the Bar Association can and cannot do, please carefully review "Lawyer Discipline in Washington."  We cannot accept grievances against lawyers via the internet.

For communication problems with your lawyer, please carefully review "Communicating with Your Lawyer."

For disputes concerning a lawyer's fee, please consider resolving the matter directly with the lawyer.  For a complete listing and detailed information about dispute resolution centers, please go to http://www.resolutionwa.org/.  The WSBA's Alternative Dispute Resolution Section website offers a directory of private, professional individuals and organizations that provide alternative dispute resolution.  See http://www.adr-wa.com/.

• More Information about Lawyer Discipline  
  (Office of Disciplinary Counsel)

• Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC)
  (Ethical rules for lawyers)

• Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct (ELC)
  (Rules governing the grievance process)