I do my best to keep this page updated.
NOTE: this page should not serve as a substitute for viewing the rules on Lexis or the Judiciary’s website.
- The Lexis link to Vermont’s court rules is here.
- The Professional Responsibility Program’s page on the Judiciary’s website is here.
For each rule below, I’ve included “highlights” in the form of the date of the most recent amendment and links to blog posts related to the rule. I’m working on annotations that will reference decisions issued by the Vermont Supreme Court and the PRP’s hearing panels. For now, disciplinary opinions can be accessed here, with a digest of those opinions here.
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Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct
(as of November 14, 2022)
- History, Preamble, and Scope.V.R.Pr.C. 1.0 – Terminology
CLIENT-LAWYER RELATIONSHIP
V.R.Pr.C. 1.2 – Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Lawyer and Client
V.R.Pr.C. 1.6 – Confidentiality of Information
V.R.Pr.C. 1.7 – Conflict of Interest Current Clients
V.R.Pr.C. 1.8 – Conflicts of Interest – Current Clients – Specific Rules
V.R.Pr.C. 1.9 – Duties to Former Clients
V.R.Pr.C. 1.10 – Imputation of Conflicts – General Rule
V.R.Pr.C. 1.12 – Former Judge, Arbitrator, or Other Third-Party Neutral
V.R.Pr.C. 1.13 – Organization as Client
V.R.Pr.C. 1.14 – Client with Diminished Capacity
V.R.Pr.C. 1.15 – Safekeeping Property
V.R.Pr.C. 1.15A – Trust Accounting System
V.R.Pr.C. 1.15B – Pooled Interest-Bearing Trust Accounts
V.R.Pr.C. 1.16 – Declining or Terminating Representation
V.R.Pr.C. 1.17 – Sale of Law Practice
V.R.Pr.C. 1.18 – Duties to Prospective Client
Counselor
V.R.Pr.C. 2.3 – Evaluation for use by Third Person
V.R.Pr.C. 2.4- Lawyer Serving as Third-Party Neutral
Advocate
V.R.Pr.C. 3.1 – Meritorious Claims & Contentions
V.R.Pr.C. 3.2 – Expediting Litigation
V.R.Pr.C. 3.3 – Candor Toward the Tribunal
V.R.Pr.C. 3.4 – Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel
V.R.Pr.C. 3.5. – Impartiality and Decorum to the Tribunal
V.R.Pr.C. 3.6 – Trial Publicity
V.R.Pr.C. 3.7 – Lawyer as Witness
V.R.Pr.C. 3.8 – Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor
V.R.Pr.C. 3.9 – Advocate in Nonadjudicative Proceedings
Transactions with Persons Other than Clients
V.R.Pr.C. 4.1 – Truthfulness in Statements to Others
V.R.Pr.C. 4.2 – Communicating with Person Represented by Counsel
V.R.Pr.C. 4.3 – Dealing With Unrepresented Person
V.R.Pr.C. 4.4 – Respect for the Rights of Third Persons
V.R.Pr.C. 4.5 – Threatening Criminal Prosecution
Law Firms and Associations
V.R.Pr.C. 5.1. Responsibilities of Partners, Managers, and Supervisory Lawyers
V.R.Pr.C. 5.2. Responsibilities of a Subordinate Lawyer
V.R.Pr.C. 5.3. Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants
V.R.Pr.C. 5.4. Professional Independence of a Lawyer
V.R.Pr.C. 5.5. Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
V.R.Pr.C. 5.6. Restrictions on Right to Practice
V.R.Pr.C. 5.7 — Responsibilities Regarding Law-Related Services
Public Service
V.R.Pr.C. 6.1 – Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Services
V.R.Pr.C. 6.2. Accepting Appointments
V.R.Pr.C. 6.3 Membership in Legal Services Organization
V.R.Pr.C. 6.4 – Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interests
V.R.Pr.C. 6.5 – Nonprofit and Court-Annexed Limited Legal Services Programs
Information About Legal Services.
V.R.Pr.C. 7.1 – Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services
V.R.Pr.C. 7.3 – Direct Contact with Prospective Clients
V.R.Pr.C. 7.4. Communication of Fields of Practice and Specialization
V.R.Pr.C. 7.5 – Firm Names and Letterheads
Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession
V.R.Pr.C. 8.1 – Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters
V.R.Pr.C. 8.2 — Judicial & Legal Officials
Ethical Grounds 