RULE 5.6 RESTRICTIONS ON RIGHT TO PRACTICE
Effective Date: 3/1/1997
Obsolete Date: 8/1/2006
A lawyer shall not participate in offering or making:
(a) A partnership or employment agreement that restricts the rights of a lawyer to practice after termination of the relationship, except an agreement concerning benefits upon retirement; or
(b)An agreement in which a restriction on the lawyer's right to practice is part of the settlement of a controversy between private parties.
COMMENT
An agreement restricting the right of partners or associates to practice after leaving a firm not only limits their professional autonomy but also limits the freedom of clients to choose a lawyer.Paragraph (a) prohibits such agreements except for restrictions incident to provisions concerning retirement benefits for service with the firm.
Paragraph (b) prohibits a lawyer from agreeing not to represent other persons in connection with settling a claim on behalf of a client.
This Rule does not prohibit restrictions that may be included in the terms of the sale of a law practice under Rule 1.17 as long as the restrictions are otherwise consistent with state law.
Reference: Minutes of the Professional Conduct Subcommittee of the Attorney Standards Committee on 11/08/85 and 01/31/86; Minutes of the Joint Committee on Attorney Standards Meetings of 09/15/95, 12/01/95, 06/11/96.