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 North Carolina, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, which are promulgated by the North Carolina Supreme Court. The North Carolina State Bar is responsible for enforcing these rules and administering the disciplinary process. Attorneys in North Carolina can face discipline for various infractions, including but not limited to failure to pay bar dues, misappropriation of client funds, or other ethical breaches. The specific grounds for discipline are outlined in the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct. If an attorney is disciplined to the extent that their license is suspended or revoked, they are no longer eligible to practice law in the state. Individuals can check an attorney's disciplinary history through the North Carolina State Bar's website or by contacting the State Bar directly. It is important not to hire an attorney who is not currently eligible to practice law due to a suspension or revocation of their license. The North Carolina State Bar also operates a disciplinary organization that receives complaints against attorneys, conducts investigations, and resolves ethics complaints.