Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Back to Outline
(Tex. Disciplinary R. Prof. Conduct, (1989) reprinted in Tex. Govt Code Ann., tit. 2, subtit. G, app. (Vernon Supp. 1995)(State Bar Rules art X [[section]]9))
III ADVOCATE 3.10 Advocate in Nonadjudicative Proceedings
A lawyer representing a client before a legislative or administrative body in a nonadjudicative proceeding shall disclose that the appearance is in a representative capacity and shall conform to the provisions of Rules 3.04(a) through (d), 3.05(a), and 4.01.
Comment:
1. In appearing before bodies such as legislatures, municipal councils, and executive and administrative agencies acting in a rule-making or policy-making capacity, lawyers present facts, formulate issues and advance argument in the matters under consideration. The decision-making body, like a court, should be able to rely on the integrity of the submissions made to it. A lawyer appearing before such a body should deal with the tribunal honestly and in conformity with applicable rules of procedure. A lawyer is required to disclose whether a particular appearance is in a representative capacity. Although not required to do so by Rule 3.10, a lawyer should reveal the identities of the lawyer's clients, unless privileged or otherwise protected, so that the decision-making body can weigh the lawyer's presentation more accurately. See Rule 4.01, Comment 1.
2. Lawyers have no exclusive right to appear before nonadjudicative bodies, as they do before a court. The requirements of this Rule therefore may subject lawyers to regulations inapplicable to advocates who are not lawyers.
3. As to the representation of a client in a negotiation or other bilateral transaction with a governmental agency, see Rules 4.01 through 4.04.
Bluebook Citation
Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. § 3.10, (Texas Center for Legal Ethics, 2024) from https://legalethicstexas.com/resources/rules/texas-disciplinary-rules-of-professional-conduct/advocate-in-nonadjudicative-proceedings/ (last visited Apr 18, 2024)