• Preamble
• Scope
• Chapter 1: Client-lawyer Relationship
  • Rule 1.0 Definitions
  • Rule 1.1 Competence
  • Rule 1.2 Scope of the Representation and the Allocation of Authority Between the Lawyer and Client
  • Rule 1.3 Diligence
  • Rule 1.4 Communication
  • Rule 1.5 Fees
  • Rule 1.6 Confidentiality
  • Rule 1.7 Conflict of Interest: General Rule
  • Rule 1.8 Conflict of Interest: Prohibited Transactions
  • Rule 1.9 Conflict of Interest: Former Client
  • Rule 1.10 Imputed Disqualification: General Rule
  • Rule 1.11 Successive Government and Private Employment
  • Rule 1.12 Former Judge or Arbitrator
  • Rule 1.13 Organizational Clients
  • Rule 1.14 Client under a Disability
  • Rule 1.15 Safekeeping Property
  • Rule 1.16 Declining and Terminating Representation
  • Rule 1.17 Sale of a Law Practice
• Chapter 2: The Lawyer as Counselor, Intermediary, and Dispute Resolution Neutral
  • Rule 2.1 Advisor
  • Rule 2.2 Lawyer Serving as Intermediary Between Clients
  • Rule 2.3 Evaluation for Use by Third Persons
  • Rule 2.4 Lawyer as Dispute Resolution Neutral
• Chapter 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 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 Non-adjudicative Proceedings
• Chapter 4: Transactions with Persons Other than Clients
  • Rule 4.1 Truthfulness and Candor 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
• Chapter 5: Law Firms, Legal Departments, and Legal Service Organizations
  • Rule 5.1 Responsibilities of a Partner, Managing Lawyer or Supervisory Lawyer
  • 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
• Chapter 6: Public Service
  • Rule 6.1 Pro Bono Publico Representation
  • Rule 6.2 Accepting Court Appointments
  • Rule 6.3 Membership in Legal Services Organization
  • Rule 6.4 Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interests
• Chapter 7: Information about Legal Services
  • Rule 7.1 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services
  • Rule 7.2 Advertising and Other Communications Not Directed to Specifically Identified Recipients
  • Rule 7.3 Solicitation and Other Communications Directed to Specifically Identified Recipients
  • Rule 7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice
  • Rule 7.5 Firm Names and Letterheads
  • Rule 7.6 Intermediary Organizations
• Chapter 8: Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession
  • 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 Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law
• Transition Rules Governing Implementation of Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct
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COMMENTS<

[1] This Rule permits a lawyer to indicate areas of practice in communications about the lawyer’s services. If a lawyer practices only in certain fields or will not accept matters in a specified field or fields, the lawyer is permitted to so indicate.

[2] However, a lawyer may not communicate that the lawyer is a "specialist," practices a "specialty," "specializes in" a particular field, or that the lawyer has been recognized or certified as a specialist in a particular field of law, except as provided by this Rule. Recognition of specialization in patent matters is a matter of long-established policy of the Patent and Trademark Office, as reflected in paragraph (c).

[3] Paragraph (d) permits a lawyer to communicate that he or she is a specialist or has been certified or recognized as a specialist when the lawyer has been so certified or recognized by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization. The certification procedures are designed to require that the lawyer demonstrate higher degree of specialized ability and experience than is suggested by general licensure to practice law. This paragraph also permits the lawyer to state that he or she is certified by other professional organizations, provided that such organizations have been accredited by the Commission as complying with its requirements to issue such certification.

DEFINITIONAL CROSS-REFERENCES

"Substantially" See RPC 1.0(m)