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Texas high court hears dispute over whether pro se lawyers fall under no‑contact disciplinary rule
Summary
The Supreme Court of Texas heard argument in Ruth v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline on whether a licensed attorney who represents themself is covered by the disciplinary rule that bars direct contact with parties known to be represented by counsel.
The Supreme Court of Texas heard argument in Ruth v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline on whether a licensed attorney who represents themself (a pro se lawyer) is subject to Texas disciplinary rules that prohibit direct contact with parties known to be represented by counsel. Petitioners urged the court to read the rule’s text narrowly, arguing the phrase “in representing a client” contemplates representation of a third‑party client and therefore should not apply when the attorney speaks for their own interests.
Respondents, including counsel for the Commission, told the court a textual reading divorced from context would undermine the rule’s protective purpose. They argued the disciplinary rules and related provisions (for example, prohibitions on…
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