Ethical Conduct
The American legal system and the attorney-client relationship are founded on trust. Although few attorneys ever betray that trust, when a breach does occur, damage to individuals and the entire system may result. The lawyers of Kentucky and the Kentucky Supreme Court recognize actions should be taken to prevent unethical conduct and restore confidence and trust should misconduct occur. To that end, the Kentucky Supreme court has created The Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct for all lawyers who practice law in the state.
Ethics Violations
If you think your lawyer or another lawyer has committed an act you believe is in violation of the ethics rules, you are encouraged to report it to the Kentucky Bar Association for an investigation. Even if your complaint does not result in a charge of misconduct it is still important the matter is reported. The KBA depends on the public to report possible ethics rule violations to prevent attorneys from continuing to violate ethics rules and possibly harm future clients.
Filing a Complaint
Information for filing a complaint is available by clicking here.
Ethics Opinions
The Kentucky Bar Association Office of Bar Counsel has worked to make sure this set of ethics opinions is the most complete, accurate and reliable set available to the members of the bar or general public. As new opinions are issued they will be added to this online listing.
Ethics and Professionalism Enhancement Program
For KBA Members who are required to attend the Annual Ethics and Professionalism Enhancement Program (EPEP), the next program will occur on the date, time, and at the location indicated below:
- When
- October 21, 2025
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Where
- Kentucky Bar Association Center
514 W. Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
- Registration Fee
- $200
- TAMP Contact
-
Office of Bar Counsel
(502) 564-3795, ext. 256
Email
- Required at check-in
- A photo ID
Register Here
Please have a debit card or credit card available for payment of the registration fee. Following submission of the registration form and payment of the registration fee, an email will be sent regarding your expected attendance at the program. The registration form and payment of the registration fee must be submitted by October 14, 2025.
A Reminder email will be sent leading up to the date of the program. Any additional material that may be needed for the program will be provided.
Cancellation/Postponement Policy: If an individual has registered for EPEP and must cancel for a medical or family emergency, the individual may contact the OBC attorney assigned to the case and request approval to postpone completion until the next scheduled date that EPEP training is offered. Postponement is not guaranteed. If an individual has already registered and paid for EPEP and is granted a postponement until the next time that EPEP training is offered, payment will be held and applied to the next EPEP training date.
Trust Account Management Program
For KBA Members who are required to attend the Trust Account Management Program (TAMP), or KBA members attending for CLE credit, the next program will occur on the date, time, and at the location indicated below:
- When
- October 20, 2025
1:00 - 5:00 PM
- Where
- Kentucky Bar Association Center
514 W. Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
- Registration Fee
- $75
- TAMP Contact
-
Office of Bar Counsel
(502) 564-3795, ext. 256
Email
- Required at check-in
- A photo ID
Register Here
Please have a debit card or credit card available for payment of the registration fee. Following submission of the registration form and payment of the registration fee, an email will be sent regarding your expected attendance at the program. The registration form and payment of the registration fee must be submitted by October 13, 2025.
A Reminder email will be sent leading up to the date of the program. Any additional material that may be needed for the program will be provided.
Cancellation/Postponement Policy: If an individual required to complete TAMP has registered for TAMP and then must postpone for a medical or family emergency, the individual may contact the OBC attorney assigned to the case and request approval to postpone completion until the next scheduled date that TAMP training is offered. Postponement is not guaranteed. If an individual has already registered and paid for TAMP and is granted a postponement until the next time that TAMP training is offered, payment will be held and applied to the next TAMP training date.
If an individual who has voluntarily registered and paid for TAMP and must cancel for a medical or family emergency, then a full refund will be granted if cancelled 2 weeks before the date of training, a partial refund if cancelled 1 week before the date of training, and no refund if cancelled after that date. However, if a voluntary registrant is bumped due to class size, he or she may elect to take the course the next time it is offered or receive a refund.
Questions?
Please submit all inquiries to Mary Ellen Hardy, mhardy@kybar.org.