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 Hawaii, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct, which are established by the Hawaii Supreme Court. The enforcement of these rules is carried out by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), which operates under the auspices of the Hawaii Supreme Court. Attorneys in Hawaii can face disciplinary action for various infractions, including but not limited to non-payment of bar dues, misappropriation of client funds, or other ethical violations. The Hawaii State Bar Association provides resources for the public to check an attorney's disciplinary history. It is important for individuals to ensure that any attorney they consider hiring is in good standing and is eligible to practice law in Hawaii. Attorneys who have been disbarred or whose licenses have been suspended or revoked are not permitted to practice law in the state. Complaints against attorneys are investigated by the ODC, and disciplinary actions can range from admonition to disbarment, depending on the severity of the misconduct.