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 Maine, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct, which are established by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. These rules outline the ethical obligations and standards for attorneys practicing in the state. The enforcement of these rules is managed by the Board of Overseers of the Bar, which operates under the authority of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Attorneys in Maine can be disciplined for various infractions, such as neglecting client matters, conflicts of interest, or misusing client funds. Disciplinary actions can range from reprimands to suspension or disbarment. Individuals can check an attorney's disciplinary history through the Board of Overseers of the Bar's website or by contacting the Board directly. It is important to ensure that any attorney you consider hiring is in good standing and is eligible to practice law in Maine. Hiring an attorney who has been suspended or disbarred is not advisable, as they are not permitted to practice law in the state.