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Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct – 2026

Article VIII of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules, adopting the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, governing lawyer ethics, client relationships, conflicts of interest, and professional responsibilities.

Browse all 61 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Article VIII: Rules of Professional Conduct

Preamble A Lawyer’s Responsibilities Scope Rule 1.0 Terminology Rule 1.1 Competence Rule 1.2 Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between 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 Employee 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 General Duties Regarding Safekeeping Property Rule 1.15A Required Records Rule 1.15B Trust Accounts and Overdraft Notification Rule 1.15C Definitions for Rules 1.15, 1.15A, and 1.15B Rule 1.16 Declining or Terminating Representation Rule 1.17 Sale of Law Practice Rule 1.18 Duties to Prospective Client Rule 2.1 Advisor Rule 2.2 Reserved Rule 2.3 Evaluation for Use by Third Persons Rule 2.4 Lawyer Serving as Third-party Neutral 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 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 5.1 Responsibilities of Partners, Managers, and Supervisory Lawyers Rule 5.2 Responsibilities of a Subordinate Lawyer Rule 5.3 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistance 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 6.2 Accepting Appointments Rule 6.3 Membership in Legal Services Organization Rule 6.4 Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interests Rule 6.5 Nonprofit and Court-annexed Limited Legal Services Programs Rule 7.1 Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services Rule 7.2 Advertising Rule 7.3 Solicitation of Clients Rule 7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice and Specialization Rule 7.5 Firm Names and Letterheads Rule 8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters Rule 8.2 Judicial and Legal Officials Rule 8.3 Reporting Professional Misconduct and Transfer to Disability Inactive Status Rule 8.4 Misconduct Rule 8.5 Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct cover?
The Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct (Ill. RPC) set the ethical standards that lawyers licensed in Illinois must follow in their professional lives. The 59 rules address topics like duties to clients, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, advertising, and a lawyer's responsibilities to the courts and the public. These rules apply to Illinois-licensed attorneys in nearly all aspects of their practice, whether they work in private firms, government offices, or other settings.
How do the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct relate to other court rules?
The Ill. RPC are part of Article VIII of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules, which means they carry the same authority as other Illinois Supreme Court Rules but focus specifically on lawyer conduct rather than court procedures. Federal courts in Illinois have their own professional responsibility standards, so a lawyer practicing in both state and federal court may need to follow somewhat different requirements depending on the forum. The Ill. RPC are based on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct but include Illinois-specific modifications adopted in 2010.
Where in these rules can I find information about conflicts of interest?
Conflicts of interest are covered in Rules 1.7 through 1.12, which address situations like representing clients with competing interests, duties to former clients, and special rules for lawyers who have moved between government service and private practice. Rule 1.7 is a good starting point for general conflict questions, while Rule 1.9 covers obligations to former clients specifically. Reviewing the comments that follow each rule can also help clarify how the rules apply in common situations.