North Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct – 2026

Preamble: A Lawyer's Responsibilities Scope Rule 1.0 Terms 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: General Rule Rule 1.8 Conflict of Interest: Prohibited Transactions Rule 1.9 Duties to Former Client Rule 1.10 Imputed Disqualification: General Rule Rule 1.11 Successive Government and Private Employment Rule 1.12 Former Judge, Arbitrator, Mediator, Adjudicative Officer, Third-party Neutral, and Law Clerks Rule 1.13 Organization as Client Rule 1.14 Client with Limited Capacity Rule 1.15 Safekeeping Property and Professional Liability Insurance Disclosure Rule 1.16 Declining or Terminating Representation Rule 1.17 Sale of a Law Practice Rule 1.18 Duties to Prospective Client Rule 1.19 Files, Papers, and Property Related to a Representation Rule 2.1 Adviser Rule 2.2 Evaluation for Use by Third Persons Rule 2.3 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 4.5 Inadvertent Transmission Rule 5.1 Responsibilities of Partners, Managers, and Supervisory Lawyers Rule 5.2 Responsibilities of a Subordinate Lawyer Rule 5.3 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants Rule 5.4 Professional Independence of a Lawyer Rule 5.5 Unauthorized Practice of Law Rule 5.6 Restrictions on Right to Practice Rule 5.7 Responsibilities Regarding Law-related Services Rule 6.1 Pro Bono Publico Service Rule 6.2 Appointment by a Tribunal 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 the Services of a Lawyer or Persons Professionally Associated with the Lawyer Rule 7.2 Advertising Rule 7.3 Solicitation of Clients Rule 7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice 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 Rule 8.4 Misconduct Rule 8.5 Jurisdiction Rule 9.1 Title and Citation