(a) Rules of Professional Conduct. The rules of professional conduct for attorneys appearing
and practicing before this court shall be the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct
adopted by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, as set forth as Rule 3:07 of that
court, as of January 1, 2015, subject to any subsequent amendments made pursuant to
subsection (b) of this rule, and any exceptions set forth in subsection (c) of this rule.
(b) Amendments to Rules. Any amendment to the Massachusetts Rules of Professional
Conduct adopted by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court after January 1, 2015, shall
be deemed adopted by this court as of the same date, unless this court affirmatively declines
to adopt it by a majority vote of the full court or stays its adoption pending such a vote.
This court may also modify its rules of professional conduct at any time according to its
normal rulemaking procedures.
(c) Exceptions to Rules. The court does not adopt the following portions of the Massachusetts
Rules of Professional Conduct:
(1) Rule 3.6 (governing trial publicity), to the extent it applies to imminent or pending
criminal investigations or litigation in this court; and
(2) Rule 3.8(f) (governing the issuance of certain subpoenas by prosecutors).
(d) Compliance with Rules Required. All attorneys who are admitted or authorized to
practice before this court shall comply with its rules of professional conduct in all matters
they handle before this court.
Effective September 1, 1990; amended effective August 1, 1997; December 1, 2009, January 1,
2015.
