Why You Need to Keep a Copy of The Rule Book - Really!

Paul Kazaras, Esq. on 02/09/2009

For those of you who don’t know me, I am the Assistant Executive Director of the Association, but as regards this article, more importantly, I handle all things having to do with ethics at the Bar Association and am the person that takes all the ethics “Hotline” phone calls.  I’ve been doing that since 1987 and probably since then have spoken to over 100,000 people about various and sundry ethical issues, some incredibly complex with calls that last over an hour, and others that are quick and easy and can be addressed properly in under five minutes.

The main issue with ethics, and in writing about it, is that unless you have a special interest, or it is a problem that you yourself are having, it can be dry.  Dry like a cake in which you forgot to add not only the eggs but also the shortening.  Dry like the Sahara.  And boring at times like modern opera.   Thus, my challenge is what is the most important basic piece of ethical advice with which I can provide you that is universal, to the point, and always helpful.  

After careful thought I have in fact found the one thing that will help everybody.  It is simple.  Before you get in a panic, before you pick up the phone thinking that you are going to be disbarred and must throw yourself on the sword before the Disciplinary Board, before you decide that you should have been a doctor or a mechanic, first, get a copy of the appropriate rule book and take a quick gander at it.  It is a little green booklet, and can be purchased directly from the Disciplinary Board for $2.00 plus shipping.  To get one call 717-731-7073. If you are feeling particularly generous you could get several copies and give them out as Hannukah gifts or stocking stuffers to the others in your office.  If you don’t want to pay anything, you can download a pdf directly from the Disciplinary Board’s website (www.padisciplinaryboard.org) or from the Pennsylvania Code (www.pacode.com).

Don’t get me wrong, I love talking to each and every one of you, but it becomes a tad stressful when I say “let’s look at Rule 3.3”, and I hear pages rattling in the background and then in five minutes somebody says, “You mean the Rules of Civil Procedure right?”

It’s the Rules of Professional Conduct as adopted by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  Trust me, it’s a good place to start.  Oftentimes the answer is there in black and white, or if you can’t find it I can tell you where it is.  But you can carry it around with you, or keep it on your desk and you will feel empowered, because you will know where to start looking. Remember that knowledge is power and in this situation it will also help you sleep better at night if you are worried about something (and you can’t reach me at (215) 238-6328.)

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