August 2017
Status – The South Carolina Supreme Court rejected ABA Model Rule 8.4(g)
June 2017
The South Carolina Supreme Court announced, on June 20, 2017, that it would not incorporate ABA Model Rule 8.4(g) into the South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct. To read the Order from the South Carolina Supreme Court, click here.
May 2017
On May 1, 2017, the South Carolina Attorney General's Office issued a written opinion in which it concluded "that the likelihood of a successful challenge to the Model Rule based on the First Amendment and the Establishment Clause is substantial and that a court could well conclude the Rule is unconstitutional." Click here to read the SC AG's opinion in its entirety.
March 2017
Christian Legal Society filed its comment letter with the South Carolina Supreme Court on March 22, 2017. Click here to read CLS' comment letter.
September 2016 - January 2017
The ABA wrote to the Supreme Court of South Carolina on September 29, 2016, requesting that court review ABA Model Rule 8.4(g) and consider integrating it into the current version of Rule 8.4 of the South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct.
In the meantime, the Professional Responsibility Committee of the South Carolina Bar considered the ABA's model rule and advised the House of Delegates of the South Carolina Bar that it opposed the model rule. During the January 2017 South Carolina Bar Convention, the House of Delegates debated the model rule. The House of Delegates ultimately adopted a proposal "to not approve Rule 8.4(g) as written and to have a public hearing and public comment."
In light of that action, the South Carolina Supreme Court is soliciting public comment as to whether ABA Model Rule 8.4(g) should be adopted in South Carolina. Comments are due by March 29, 2017. Click here for more information, including the request for written comments, background information on the ABA's proposed rule, and consideration of the proposed rule by both the Professional Responsibility Committee of the South Carolina Bar and the House of Delegates of the South Carolina Bar.
Current Rule 8.4 Misconduct
It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:
(e) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice
Comment
[3] A lawyer who, in the course of representing a client, knowingly manifests by words or conduct, bias or prejudice based upon race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, violates paragraph (e) when such actions are prejudicial to the administration of justice. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate paragraph (e). A trial judge's finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this rule.
Proposed Rule – ABA Model Rule 8.4(g)
It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:
(g) engage in conduct that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or socioeconomic status in conduct related to the practice of law. This paragraph does not limit the ability of a lawyer to accept, decline or withdraw from a representation in accordance with Rule 1.16. This paragraph does not preclude legitimate advice or advocacy consistent with these Rules.
Comment
[3] Discrimination and harassment by lawyers in violation of paragraph (g) undermine confidence in the legal profession and the legal system. Such discrimination includes harmful verbal or physical conduct that manifests bias or prejudice towards others. Harassment includes sexual harassment and derogatory or demeaning verbal or physical conduct. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The substantive law of antidiscrimination and anti-harassment statutes and case law may guide application of paragraph (g).
[4] Conduct related to the practice of law includes representing clients; interacting with witnesses, coworkers, court personnel, lawyers and others while engaged in the practice of law; operating or managing a law firm or law practice; and participating in bar association, business or social activities in connection with the practice of law. Lawyers may engage in conduct undertaken to promote diversity and inclusion without violating this Rule by, for example, implementing initiatives aimed at recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing diverse employees or sponsoring diverse law student organizations.
[5] A trial judge’s finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of paragraph (g). A lawyer does not violate paragraph (g) by limiting the scope or subject matter of the lawyer’s practice or by limiting the lawyer’s practice to members of underserved populations in accordance with these Rules and other law. A lawyer may charge and collect reasonable fees and expenses for a representation. Rule 1.5(a). Lawyers also should be mindful of their professional obligations under Rule 6.1 to provide legal services to those who are unable to pay, and their obligation under Rule 6.2 not to avoid appointments from a tribunal except for good cause. See Rule 6.2(a), (b) and (c). A lawyer’s representation of a client does not constitute an endorsement by the lawyer of the client’s views or activities. See Rule 1.2(b).