Rule 5.6 Restrictions on Right to Practice

Lawyers cannot agree to limit their own future work as a way to settle disputes or structure business relationships. If a law firm partnership or employment agreement tries to stop a lawyer from practicing law after they leave the firm, that kind of restriction is not allowed. The only exceptions are agreements about retirement benefits or agreements to sell a law practice, which follow different rules.

This rule also blocks lawyers from agreeing to limit their right to practice as part of settling a case for a client. For example, a lawyer cannot agree to stop representing clients with similar claims against the same company in exchange for a good settlement in a current case. The idea is to protect people's ability to choose their own lawyer in the future. If lawyers could trade away their right to practice, it would reduce competition and make it harder for future clients to get legal help from experienced attorneys.