Washington Rules of Professional Conduct – 2026
The Washington Rules of Professional Conduct govern the ethical duties of lawyers practicing in Washington. They apply in every court in the state and cover the client-lawyer relationship, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, duties to the tribunal and to opposing parties, law firm responsibilities, advertising, and professional misconduct.
Browse all 67 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.
Title 1 Client-Lawyer Relationship
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 Employees
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 1.15A
Safeguarding Property
Rule 1.15B
Required Trust Account Records
Rule 1.16
Declining or Terminating Representation
Rule 1.17
Sale of Law Practice
Rule 1.18
Duties to Prospective Client
Title 2 Counselor
Title 3 Advocate
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
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
Title 4 Transactions With Persons Other Than Clients
Title 5 Law Firms and Associations
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; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
Rule 5.6
Restrictions on Right to Practice
Rule 5.7
Responsibilities Regarding Law-Related Services
Rule 5.8
Misconduct Involving Lawyers and LLLTs Not Actively Licensed to Practice Law
Rule 5.9
Business Structures Involving LLLT and Lawyer Ownership
Rule 5.10
Responsibilities Regarding Other Legal Practitioners