December 2016 – New ethics rules established by the American Bar Association in August prohibit attorneys from “harmful” verbal conduct that could include discussing or debating same sex marriage, religion, or immigration. Under the speech code, attorneys could be disciplined or removed from the bar if they are seen as manifesting bias or prejudice.
“What it really does is shut down everyone from saying anything that might be controversial for advocating for your clients vigorously or even selecting clients,” said UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh.
