The Committee on Professional Guidance advises Members who apply to the Association or to the Committee, on the propriety of any action proposed to be taken by them in a professional matter or transaction, or the course to be pursued in any controversy with another member of the Bar or with a client. The Committee also has authority to give advice concerning the interpretation, application and observance of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct and the Pennsylvania Code of Judicial Conduct. The Committee, upon its own motion or when consulted by any Officer or member of the Board, or any Committee, Section, Division or component of the Association, may express its opinion concerning the propriety of any professional or judicial conduct, but no such opinion deals with any question of judicial decision or opinion.

Meetings of the Committee are conducted in confidence and in closed session, except in such cases as the Committee otherwise specifically determines. The Committee, in its discretion, may publish its opinions as it may deem desirable, provided that such published opinions do not contain the names of the persons involved.

The Committee on Professional Responsibility evaluates the norms governing the conduct of lawyers and the patterns by which lawyers discharge their responsibility to their clients, the justice system, the public and to other lawyers. It considers, initiates, reviews and recommends measures designed to enforce or to modify those norms and patterns, including changes in the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, the Pennsylvania Code of Judicial Conduct, the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement, and the lawyer regulatory functions of the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board and the courts. The Committee will monitor, report and make recommendations or take such positions as may be warranted respecting evolving patterns designed to improve the quality of legal services, measures respecting the admission or regulation of lawyers to courts, agencies or fields of practice, and the ethical standards within which the legal profession is expected to function.

To apply for Committee membership online, click here.

Co-Chairs

Ms. Deborah A. Winokur

Cozen O'Connor
One Liberty Place
1650 Market Street, Suite 2800
Philadelphia, 19103
(215) 665-2000

Robert S. Tintner

Fox Rothschild LLP
2000 Market Street, 20th Floor
Philadelphia, 19103
(215) 299-2766

Josh J.T. Byrne

Marshall Dennehey, P.C.
2000 Market Street
Suite 2300
Philadelphia, 19103
(215) 575-2600