Ethics Forum: Questions and Answers on Professional Responsibility

It's time for lawyers to start being more aware of jurisdictional issues.

I was admitted pro hac vice to try a case in another state. There is now a disciplinary complaint made against me due to an issue occurring during the trial. Since I am a Pennsylvania lawyer, would Pennsylvania have jurisdiction over my disciplinary complaint?

The Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct have a jurisdictional section under Rule 8.5. That rule is titled "Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law." The rule essentially says that a lawyer who is admitted to practice in this jurisdiction is subject to the disciplinary authority of the state. The rule notes that it is true regardless of where the lawyer's conduct occurs. The rule also says that if a lawyer is not admitted in a jurisdiction, the lawyer still can be disciplined by the other jurisdiction if the lawyer provides legal services in that jurisdiction. The rule also says the lawyer can be subject to disciplinary authority in both jurisdictions. See Rule of Professional Conduct 8.5(a).