Rule 8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters

If you're applying to become a lawyer, or you're already a lawyer dealing with a bar application or a disciplinary case, you have to be honest and cooperative with the people reviewing your case. You can't lie about something that matters. You also can't stay silent if you know someone has the wrong idea about a fact and you could clear it up.

You're required to answer legitimate requests for information from bar admission officials or disciplinary investigators. The one exception is information that's protected by attorney-client confidentiality rules (covered under Rule 1.6). That kind of protected information doesn't have to be shared just because someone asks for it.

You also have to cooperate with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel when they're investigating a complaint. The only valid reason to refuse is if you're openly claiming a constitutional right, like the right against self-incrimination. Simply ignoring requests or refusing to cooperate without stating a real legal reason is not allowed.