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Attorney Codes of Conduct Map

This map and summary outlines anti-discrimination protections in attorney codes of conduct across the United States.
Scroll down to select your state and find its specific information.

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This map provides information about the anti-discrimination rules within each state’s Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys. Specifically, this map shows whether a state has explicit anti-discrimination protections based on gender and/or sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For information about a particular state’s anti-discrimination provision within that state’s Rules of Professional Conduct, click on the link to that state below. Included within each state’s section, there is: (1) a citation to and language of the anti-discrimination provision in the state’s rules, (2) a link to that provision, and (3) a link to the agency or commission in the state that accepts official complaints against attorneys.

Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex and/or Gender Protections

    • Link to Rules of Professional Conduct: California Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule: Rule 8.4.1, California Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: (a) In representing a client, or in terminating or refusing to accept the representation of any client, a lawyer shall not: (1) unlawfully harass or unlawfully discriminate against persons* on the basis of any protected characteristic; or (2) unlawfully retaliate against persons. (b) In relation to a law firm’s operations, a lawyer shall not: (1) on the basis of any protected characteristic, (i) unlawfully discriminate or knowingly* permit unlawful discrimination; (ii) unlawfully harass or knowingly* permit the unlawful harassment of an employee, an applicant, an unpaid intern or volunteer, or a person* providing services pursuant to a contract; or (iii) unlawfully refuse to hire or employ a person*, or refuse to select a person* for a training program leading to employment, or bar or discharge a person* from employment or from a training program leading to employment, or discriminate against a person* in compensation or in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment; or (2) unlawfully retaliate against persons. (c) For purposes of this rule: (1) “protected characteristic” means race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, military and veteran status, or other category of discrimination prohibited by applicable law, whether the category is actual or perceived…
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: How to File a Complaint against an Attorney (ca.gov)
    • Rule: 8.4(g), Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct
    • Link to Rule: Rule Change 2024(16) (coloradojudicial.gov) pg.6
    • Text of Rule: It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: (g) engage in conduct, in the representation of a client, that exhibits or is intended to appeal to or engender bias against a person on account of that person’s race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, whether that conduct is directed to other counsel, court personnel, witnesses, parties, judges, judicial officers, or any persons involved in the legal process;…”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Complaints/Discipline – Attorney Regulation Counsel (coloradosupremecourt.com)
    • Link to Rules: Code of Attorney Conduct (ct.gov) (pg.63)
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(7), Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… (7) Engage in conduct that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, status as a veteran, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or marital 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, or to provide advice, assistance or advocacy consistent with these Rules.”
    • Link to file a complaint against an attorney: CT Statewide Grievance Committee – For the Public
    • Link to Rules: Rule 8.4 (windows.net).
    • Rule: 8.4(j), Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… (j) engage in conduct in the practice of law that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, ancestry, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, pregnancy, or socioeconomic status. This paragraph does not limit the ability of a lawyer to accept, decline, or, in accordance with Rule 1.16, withdraw from a representation. This paragraph does not preclude or limit the giving of advice, assistance, or advocacy consistent with these Rules.”
    • Link to file a complaint against an attorney: File a Complaint (iardc.org).
    • Link to Rules: Rules of Professional Conduct(nysba.org) (pg. 196).
    • Rule: 8.4(g), New York Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “A lawyer or law firm shall not: … (g) engage in conduct in the practice of law that the lawyer or law firm knows or reasonably should know constitutes: (1) unlawful discrimination; or (2) harassment, whether or not unlawful, on the basis of one or more of the following protected categories: race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, status as a member of the military, or status as a military veteran. (3) “Harassment” for purposes of this Rule, means physical contact, verbal conduct, and/or nonverbal conduct such as gestures or facial expressions that is: a. directed at an individual or specific individuals; and b. derogatory or demeaning. Conduct that a reasonable person would consider as petty slights or trivial inconveniences does not rise to the level of harassment under this Rule.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Complaints About Attorneys | NYCOURTS.GOV
    • Link to Rules: pdf (osbar.org)(pg. 30).
    • Rule: 8.4(a)(7), Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: …(7) in the practice of law, knowingly intimidate or harass a person because of that person’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Submitting an Ethics Complaint Regarding an Oregon Lawyer (osbar.org)
    • Link to Rules: Rules of Professional Conduct (padisciplinaryboard.org) (pg. 96-97).
    • Rule: 8.4(g), Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … (g) in the practice of law, knowingly engage in conduct constituting harassment or discrimination based upon race, sex, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic status. 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 advice or advocacy consistent with these Rules.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: File a Complaint (padisciplinaryboard.org).
    • Link to Rules: pdf (wa.gov).
    • Rule: 8.4(g) & (h), Washington Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: …(g) commit a discriminatory act prohibited by state law on the basis of sex, race, age, creed, religion, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or marital status, where the act of discrimination is committed in connection with the lawyer’s professional activities. In addition, it is professional misconduct to commit a discriminatory act on the basis of sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity if such an act would violate this rule when committed on the basis of sex, race, age, creed, religion, color, national origin, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or marital status. This rule shall not limit the ability of a lawyer to accept, decline, or withdraw from the representation of a client in accordance with Rule 1.16; (h) in representing a client, engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice toward judges, lawyers, or LLLTs, other parties, witnesses, jurors, or court personnel or officers, that a reasonable person would interpret as manifesting prejudice or bias on the basis of sex, race, age, creed, religion, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or marital status. This rule does not restrict a lawyer from representing a client by advancing material factual or legal issues or arguments;”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Concerns About a Lawyer (wsba.org)

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Sex and/or Gender Protections

    • Link to Rules of Professional Conduct: ALASKA RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
    • Rule: 8.4(f) & (g), Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … (f) engage in conduct that the lawyer knows is harassment or invidious discrimination during the lawyer’s professional relations with (1) officers or employees of a tribunal; (2) lawyers, paralegals, and others working for other law firms; (3) parties, regardless of whether they are represented by counsel; (4) witnesses; or (5) seated jurors… (g) For purposes of paragraph (f)… (3) “Protected class” refers to a person’s race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or national origin, disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or parenthood, or status as a veteran.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Complaints Against Attorneys – Alaska Bar Association
    • Link to Rules of Professional Conduct: Rules of Professional Conduct (azbar.org).
    • Rule: 8.4(d), Comment [3] (Effective Dec. 1, 2003).
    • Rule Language: It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … (d) 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, gender identity or socioeconomic status, violates paragraph (d) when such actions are prejudicial to the administration of justice. This does not preclude legitimate advocacy when race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or socioeconomic status, or other similar factors, are issues in the proceeding. A trial judge’s finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this Rule.”
    • Link to how to file a complaint against an attorney: Attorney Discipline (azcourts.gov).

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: Professional Code of Conduct (maine.gov) (pg. 47-48).
    • Rule: 8.4(g), Maine Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: …(g) engage in conduct or communication related to the practice of law 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, or gender identity.”…
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Board of Overseers of the Bar: How to File a Complaint (mebaroverseers.org)
    • Link to Rules: Rules Governing the Missouri Bar and the Judiciary – Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule: 8.4(g), Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct
    • Rule Language: (g) manifest by words or conduct, in representing a client, bias or prejudice, or engage in harassment, including but not limited to bias, prejudice, or harassment based upon race, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, or marital status. This Rule 4-8.4(g) does not preclude legitimate advocacy when race, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or other similar factors, are issues. This paragraph does not limit the ability of a lawyer to accept, decline, or withdraw from a representation in accordance with Rule 4-1.16.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Filing a Complaint – Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel (mochiefcounsel.org)
    • Link to Rules: New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct | New Hampshire Judicial Branch (nh.gov).
    • Rule: 8.4(g). New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … (g) take any action, while acting as a lawyer in any context, if the lawyer knows or it is obvious that the action has the primary purpose to embarrass, harass or burden another person, including conduct motivated by animus against the other person based upon the other person’s race, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or gender identity.  This paragraph shall not limit the ability of the lawyer to accept, decline, or withdraw from representation consistent with other Rules of Professional Conduct, nor does it preclude a lawyer from engaging in conduct or speech or from maintaining associations that are constitutionally protected, including advocacy on matters of public policy, the exercise of religion, or a lawyer’s right to advocate for a client.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: New Hampshire Attorney Discipline System (nhattyreg.org)
    • Link to Rules: Professional Code of Conduct.
    • Rule: Rule 16-804, New Mexico Rules Annotated (New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct).
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … 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, or marital 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 16-116 NMRA. This paragraph does not preclude legitimate advice or advocacy consistent with these rules.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: File a Complaint – Disciplinary Board of the NM Supreme Court (nmdisboard.org)
    • Link to Rules: Rule 8.4 – Misconduct, Vt. R. Prof. Cond. 8.4 | Casetext Search + Citator.
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(g), Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… (g) engage in conduct related to the practice of law that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, place of birth, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or socioeconomic status, or other grounds that are illegal or prohibited under federal or state 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.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Professional Responsibility Board | Vermont Judiciary

Sexual Orientation and Sex and/or Gender Protections

    • Link to Rules of Professional Conduct: Final DLRPC clean.doc (delaware.gov) (pg. 160).
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(d) & Comment 3.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… (d) 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 (d) when such actions are prejudicial to the administration of justice. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate paragraph (d). A trial judge’s finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this rule.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Complaint – Office of Disciplinary Counsel – Supreme Court – Delaware Courts – State of Delaware.

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: Chapter 4 RRTFB 6-17-2024 (floridabar.org).
    • Rule: Rule 4-8.4(d), Florida Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “A lawyer shall not: …(d) engage in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, including to knowingly, or through callous indifference, disparage, humiliate, or discriminate against litigants, jurors, witnesses, court personnel, or other lawyers on any basis, including, but not limited to, on account of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, employment, or physical characteristic;…”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Lawyer Complaints and Discipline – The Florida Bar
    • Link to Rules: IDAHO RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT (pg. 66).
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(d) & Comment [3].
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… (d) 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 (d) when such actions are prejudicial to the administration of justice. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate paragraph (d). A trial judge’s finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this rule.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: FAQ’s Regarding Filing a Grievance Against an Idaho Attorney | State Bar

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(g), Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: …(g) engage in conduct, in a professional capacity, manifesting, by words or conduct, bias or prejudice based upon race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or similar factors. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate this subsection. A trial judge’s finding that preemptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this Rule.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Indiana Judicial Branch: Office of Judicial and Attorney Regulation: File a complaint against a lawyer.
    • Link to Rules: 05-31-2024.32.pdf (iowa.gov).
    • Rule: Rule 32:8.4(d), (g) & Comment [3], Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:…(d) ) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice;… (g) engage in sexual harassment or other unlawful discrimination in the practice of law or knowingly permit staff or agents subject to the lawyer’s direction and control to do so.” 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 (d) when such actions are prejudicial to the administration of justice. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate paragraph (d). A trial judge’s finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this rule. For another reference to discrimination as professional misconduct, see paragraph (g).”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Complaint Against a Lawyer | Iowa Judicial Branch (iowacourts.gov)

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: Attorney Professional Codes of Conduct.
    • Rule: Rule 19-308.4(e), Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for an attorney to:… (e) knowingly manifest by words or conduct when acting in a professional capacity bias or prejudice based upon race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status when such action is prejudicial to the administration of justice, provided, however, that legitimate advocacy is not a violation of this section;…”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Filing a Complaint | Maryland Courts (state.md.us)
    • Link to Rules: MINNESOTA RULES (mncourts.gov) (pg. 115).
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(g), Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… (g) harass a person on the basis of sex, race, age, creed, religion, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, ethnicity, or marital status in connection with a lawyer’s professional activities;…”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Pages – default (mncourts.gov)
    • Link to Rules: 3-508.4. Misconduct. | Nebraska Judicial Branch.
    • Rule: Rule §3-508.4(d), Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… (d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Once a lawyer is employed in a professional capacity, the lawyer shall not, in the course of such employment, engage in adverse discriminatory treatment of litigants, witnesses, lawyers, judges, judicial officers or court personnel on the basis of the person’s race, national origin, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or socio-economic status. This subsection does not preclude legitimate advocacy when these factors are issues in a proceeding.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Counsel for Discipline | Nebraska Judicial Branch
    • Link to Rules: Rules of Court | NJ Courts.
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(g), New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:…(g) engage, in a professional capacity, in conduct involving discrimination (except employment discrimination unless resulting in a final agency or judicial determination) because of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, language, marital status, socioeconomic status, or handicap where the conduct is intended or likely to cause harm.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: File an Ethics Grievance | NJ Courts
    • Link to Rules: North Dakota Court System – RULE 8.4 MISCONDUCT (ndcourts.gov).
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(f), North Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … (f) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, including to knowingly manifest through words or conduct in the course of representing a client, bias or prejudice based upon race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation, against parties, witnesses, counsel, or others, except when those words or conduct are legitimate advocacy because race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation is an issue in the proceeding;…”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: North Dakota Court System – Disciplinary Board (ndcourts.gov).
    • Link to Rules: Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct (pg. 185).
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(g), Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… (g) engage, in a professional capacity, in conduct involving discrimination prohibited by law because of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, or disability;…”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Filing A Grievance | ODC Ohio
    • Link to Rules: ARTICLE V (ri.gov) (pg. 145).
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(d), Rhode Island Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:…(d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, including but not limited to, harmful or discriminatory treatment of litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and others based on race, national origin, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status;…”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Disciplinary Board (ri.gov)
    • Link to Rules: SC Judicial Branch (sccourts.org).
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(e) and Comment [3], South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “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.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: SC Judicial Department (sccourts.org).

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: Rule 8: Rules of Professional Conduct. | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (tncourts.gov).
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(d) & Comment [3].
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… d) 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 on race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status violates paragraph (d) when such actions are prejudicial to the administration of justice. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate paragraph (d).”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Board of Professional Responsibility (tbpr.org).

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF (texasbar.com) (pg. 90).
    • Rule: Rule 5.08 (a) & (b), Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “(a) A lawyer shall not willfully, in connection with an adjudicatory proceeding, except as provided in paragraph (b), manifest, by words or conduct, bias or prejudice based on race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, sex, or sexual orientation towards any person involved in that proceeding in any capacity. (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a lawyer’s decision whether to represent a particular person in connection with an adjudicatory proceeding, nor to the process of jury selection, nor to communications protected as “confidential information” under these Rules. See Rule 1.05(a), (b). It also does not preclude advocacy in connection with an adjudicatory proceeding involving any of the factors set out in paragraph (a) if that advocacy: (i) is necessary in order to address any substantive or procedural issues raised by the proceeding; and (ii) is conducted in conformity with applicable rulings and orders of a tribunal and applicable rules of practice and procedure.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: State Bar of Texas | Grievance & Ethics Information (texasbar.com)
    • Link to Rules: UCJA Rule 13-8.4 (Code of Judicial Administration) – Utah Courts (utcourts.gov).
    • Rule: Rule 13-8.4(d) & Comment [3], Utah Code of Judicial Administration.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … (d) 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 (d) when such actions are prejudicial to the administration of justice. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate paragraph (d). A trial judge’s finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this rule.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: File a Complaint | Office of Professional Conduct (opcutah.org).

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct | West Virginia Judiciary (courtswv.gov).
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(d) & Comment [3], West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … (d)  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 (d) when such actions are prejudicial to the administration of justice. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate paragraph (d). A trial judge’s finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this Rule.”
    • Link to file a complaint against an attorney: Lawyer Disciplinary Board FAQ (wvbar.org).

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: Professional Rules of Conduct (state.wy.us) .
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(d) & Comment[3], Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:… (d) 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 (d) when such actions are prejudicial to the administration of justice. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate Rule 8.4 paragraph (d). A trial judge’s finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this rule.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Complain About a Lawyer’s Conduct – Wyoming State Bar (wyomingbar.org)

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: DC Bar – Misconduct.
    • Rule: Rule 8.4(d) & Comment [3], D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:…(d) Engage in conduct that seriously interferes with the administration of justice;…” Comment [3] “A lawyer violates paragraph (d) by offensive, abusive, or harassing conduct that seriously interferes with the administration of justice. Such conduct may include words or actions that manifest bias or prejudice based upon race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: DC Bar – How To File a Complaint.

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

Sex and/or Gender Protections Only

    • Link to Rules of Professional Conduct: [Current] Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct – Arkansas Courts (arcourts.gov)
    • Rule: 8.4(d) and Comment [3].
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … (d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice…” Comment [3] “Subdivision (d) of this rule proscribes conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Such proscription includes the prohibition against discriminatory conduct committed by a lawyer while performing duties in connection with the practice of law. The proscription extends to any characteristic or status that is not relevant to the proof of any legal or factual issue in dispute. Such discriminatory conduct, when directed towards litigants, jurors, witnesses, other lawyers, or the court, including race, sex, religion, national origin, or any other similar factors, subverts the administration of justice and undermines the public’s confidence in our system of justice, as well as notions of equality. Legitimate advocacy respecting the foregoing factors does not violate paragraph (d). A trial judge’s finding that peremptory challenges were exercised on a discriminatory basis does not alone establish a violation of this rule. This subdivision does not prohibit a lawyer from representing a client accused of committing discriminatory conduct.”
    • Link to file a complaint against an attorney: Office of the Committee on Professional Conduct | Arkansas Judiciary (arcourts.gov) (See Grievance Forms)

    *These protected statuses are only listed in the comment to the rule, not the rule itself. Shown on the map with diagonal stripes.

    • Link to Rules: Michigan Rules Of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule: 6.5 (a), Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct.
    • Rule Language: “(a) A lawyer shall treat with courtesy and respect all persons involved in the legal process. A lawyer shall take particular care to avoid treating such a person discourteously or disrespectfully because of the person’s race, gender, or other protected personal characteristic. To the extent possible, a lawyer shall require subordinate lawyers and nonlawyer assistants to provide such courteous and respectful treatment.”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: How to file a Request for Investigation – Attorney Grievance Commission (agcmi.org).

    Note: there is no mention of bias, discrimination, or harassment in these rules.

No Protected Statuses Listed, but There is a General Anti-Bias/Prejudice Provision

    • Link to Rules: Rule 8.4 Misconduct | North Carolina State Bar (ncbar.gov).
    • Rule: 8.4(d) & Comment [5].
    • Rule Language: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: … (d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice…” “[5] Threats, bullying, harassment, and other conduct serving no substantial purpose other than to intimidate, humiliate, or embarrass anyone associated with the judicial process including judges, opposing counsel, litigants, witnesses, or court personnel violate the prohibition on conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. When directed to opposing counsel, such conduct tends to impede opposing counsel’s ability to represent his or her client effectively. Comments “by one lawyer tending to disparage the personality or performance of another…tend to reduce public trust and confidence in our courts and, in more extreme cases, directly interfere with the truth-finding function by distracting judges and juries from the serious business at hand.” State v. Rivera, 350 N.C. 285, 291, 514 S.E.2d 720, 723 (1999). See Rule 3.5, cmt. [10] and Rule 4.4, cmt. [2].”
    • Link to file complaint against an attorney: Filing a Grievance | North Carolina State Bar (ncbar.gov)

No Explicit Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Bias Provision in Code