The professional conduct of attorneys is generally regulated by each state's rules of professional conduct—which are often written by the state's highest court, and enforced through the disciplinary process administered by the state's bar association. The professional conduct of attorneys is also referred to as legal ethics and professional responsibility.

Attorneys can be disciplined for a variety of reasons, ranging from the failure to pay their bar dues to misappropriating client funds. The grounds upon which an attorney may be disciplined by the state bar association are generally located in the state bar association's disciplinary rules of professional conduct.

Some attorneys who have been disciplined are no longer eligible to practice law. You should inquire about an attorney’s disciplinary history on the state bar association’s website, or by calling the state bar association.

You should not hire an attorney whose license is been suspended or revoked and who is not eligible to practice law in your state. Each state has a disciplinary organization that receives, investigates, and resolves ethics complaints against attorneys licensed in the state.

In Florida, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, which are established by the Florida Supreme Court. The enforcement of these rules is carried out by The Florida Bar, which is the organization responsible for the licensing and discipline of attorneys in the state. Attorneys in Florida can face disciplinary action for various infractions, including but not limited to the misappropriation of client funds, failure to pay bar dues, and other breaches of professional ethics and responsibilities. The Florida Bar's Department of Lawyer Regulation handles complaints and investigations into ethical violations. If an attorney is found to have violated professional conduct rules, they may face sanctions ranging from reprimands to disbarment, depending on the severity of the misconduct. It is important for individuals to check an attorney's disciplinary history before hiring them, which can be done through The Florida Bar's website or by contacting them directly. An attorney whose license has been suspended or revoked is not permitted to practice law in Florida, and therefore should not be engaged for legal services.