Recent Developments in 2015

2015 was a busy year for the Virginia State Bar especially in the field of legal ethics and professional regulation.  This year saw some significant rule changes adopted by the Supreme Court of Virginia:

• A new Rule 5.8 requiring notification to clients when a lawyer changes law firms.  Rule 5.8. http://www.vsb.org/pro-guidelines/index.php/rule_changes/item/new_rule_5.8
• Amendments to Paragraph 10, Section IV of the Rules for Integration of the Virginia State Bar requiring Council and Supreme Court review of legal ethics advisory opinions issued by the Standing Committee on Legal Ethics. http://www.vsb.org/pro-guidelines/index.php/rule_changes/item/amendments_to_paragraph_10_2015-10
• Provision of legal services following determination of a major disaster. http://www.vsb.org/pro-guidelines/index.php/rule_changes/item/provision-of-legal-services-following-determination-of-major-disaster
• New Admission Rule for military spouses to practice in the Commonwealth. http://www.vsb.org/pro-guidelines/index.php/rule_changes/item/military_spouse_provisional_admission_rule-022715
• New amendments removing restrictions to admission by reciprocity, Rule 1A:1. http://www.vsb.org/pro-guidelines/index.php/rule_changes/item/amendment_to_rule_1a1_reciprocity_admission_on_motion
• Amendments to Rule 1.10 (Imputation of Conflicts). http://www.vsb.org/pro-guidelines/index.php/rule_changes/item/rule-1-10-2014-01