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 Minnesota, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, which are established by the Minnesota Supreme Court. The Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility (OLPR) is responsible for overseeing the ethical conduct of attorneys and administering the disciplinary process. Attorneys in Minnesota can face discipline for various infractions, such as neglecting client matters, conflicts of interest, misappropriation of client funds, or failing to pay bar dues. The consequences of such actions can range from private reprimands to disbarment. The Minnesota State Bar Association provides resources for checking an attorney's disciplinary history, and this information can also be found on the Minnesota Judicial Branch's website. It is important for clients to ensure that any attorney they consider hiring is in good standing and eligible to practice law in Minnesota. Hiring an attorney who has been suspended or disbarred is not advisable, as they are not permitted to practice law.