Guide to Interpretation of GA Rules of Professional Conduct

(Hierarchy of Authority)

1.       Georgia Supreme Court case directly interpreting the Rule
Discipline
Motion to Disqualify
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Malpractice

2.       Formal Advisory Opinion Adopted by the Georgia Supreme Court
Subject Matter Index
Rule Index

3.       Comment to the Georgia Rule

4.       Formal Advisory Opinion not Adopted by the Georgia Supreme Court
What precedential effect?

5.       Informal Advisory Opinion issued by Office of General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia
What precedential effect?

6.       Collateral court decision (e.g. motion to disqualify, legal malpractice)

          a.       Georgia appellate and trial courts
Motion to Disqualify
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Malpractice

          b.       Federal courts in Georgia
Motion to Disqualify
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Malpractice

          c.        Federal court in another state

          d.       State court in another state

7.       ABA Formal Opinion: Where do you find?