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 Pennsylvania, the professional conduct of attorneys is regulated by the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, which are enforced by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Bar Association also plays a role in promoting ethical practices among attorneys. Attorneys in Pennsylvania can face disciplinary action for various infractions, such as misappropriation of client funds, failure to pay bar dues, or other breaches of professional ethics. The disciplinary process can result in sanctions ranging from private reprimands to disbarment, depending on the severity of the misconduct. Individuals can check an attorney's disciplinary history through the Disciplinary Board's online portal or by contacting the Pennsylvania Bar Association. It is important to ensure that any attorney you consider hiring is in good standing and is eligible to practice law in Pennsylvania, as hiring an attorney with a suspended or revoked license can jeopardize your legal interests.