16 Nov Maryland Legal Code of Ethics
The Code of Professional Conduct clarifies the relationship between the legal system and Maryland lawyers. It provides guidelines and standards to ensure that lawyers promote the public interest. Together with the Joint Committee on Legal Ethics and the Commission on Obstruction of Justice, the State Ethics Commission administers the Public Ethics Act. This law requires disclosure of the financial affairs of public servants and establishes standards of conduct for local and state government officials and employees. The Commission protects against undue interference with public officials or the appearance of conflicts of interest through financial disclosure, disclosure and regulation of lobbying programs, approval of local government ethics requirements, ethics law advice and training, and investigation of ethics complaints. The Commission reviews and approves district and municipal ethics laws enacted in accordance with the requirements of the Public Ethics Act. Promote trust between legal practitioners and the public. The MSBA provides a free copy of this essential resource to newly admitted members of the Maryland Bar. MSBA members also have access to the latest edition of the Code of Professional Conduct. The State Ethics Commission was established in 1979, replacing the Maryland Public Disclosure Advisory Board and the State Board of Ethics. Maryland`s Public Ethics Act can be found in the General Provisions section, Title 5. The Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor for a term of five years.
One is appointed by the President of the Senate and the other by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The day-to-day work of the Commission is carried out by a staff of 12 persons under the direction of an Executive Director appointed by the Commission. (Source Maryland Manual On-Line).