Opinion
83-187
Opinion delivered December 16, 1985
Petition for the Adoption of Model Rules of Professional Conduct; granted.
The Arkansas Bar Association, through its Special Committee on the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, has petitioned this court to adopt the Model Rules of Professional Conduct promulgated by the American Bar Association and approved by the House of Delegates of that body on August 2, 1983, subject to certain amendments recommended by the Special Committee and endorsed by the Arkansas Bar Association on January 19, 1985 after a thorough study and review among the bar of Arkansas.
The Special Committee is composed of the following: Herschel H. Friday, Chairman, Phillip Anderson, John F. Stroud, Jr., H. William Allen, Howard W. Brill, J.C. Deacon, John A. Fogleman, John P. Gill, Jerry W. Cavaneau, Richard N. Moore, Jr.
The Model Rules, as amended, would replace the existing Code of Professional Responsibility adopted by this court effective July 1, 1976 (see Per Curiam order of June 21, 1976, 260 Ark. 910).
By Per Curiam Order of May 6, 1985, we invited interested parties to file objections to the proposed Model Rules and allowed time for that to be done. No objections have been filed. We note that the Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct has filed comments on the proposed rules describing the Model Rules as a definite improvement over the present rules and urging their adoption.
In view of the thorough study they have received, we find the Model Rules of Professional Conduct should be, and they are hereby, approved as amended, to become effective January 1, 1986. Appended to this order, and made a part hereof by reference, are Exhibit B to the Petition of the Arkansas Bar Association outlining the changes approved by the Arkansas Bar Association by amendment to the Model Rules of the American Bar Association. Also appended hereto, and made a part hereof by reference, is Exhibit C to said Petition which incorporates those changes into the Model Rules. Both exhibits shall be published as an appendix hereto.
It is so ordered.
PURTLE, J., not participating.