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 Dakota, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the North Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, which are established by the North Dakota Supreme Court. The enforcement of these rules is carried out by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of North Dakota, under the guidance of the North Dakota State Bar Association. Attorneys in North Dakota can face disciplinary action for various reasons, including but not limited to non-payment of bar dues, professional misconduct, or misappropriation of client funds. The specific grounds for discipline are detailed within the state's Rules of Professional Conduct. If an attorney is disciplined to the extent that their license is suspended or revoked, they are not permitted to practice law in the state. Individuals looking to hire an attorney in North Dakota should check the attorney's disciplinary history, which can be found on the North Dakota State Bar Association's website or by contacting the association directly. It is important to ensure that the attorney is currently eligible to practice law and has not had their license suspended or revoked.