ABA Mulls Changes to Unauthorized Practice, Remote Work Rule

The American Bar Association is taking the first steps toward a possible amendment to its unauthorized practice rule, a step that could open up remote work for lawyers on a national scale and improve access to justice efforts.

The ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility “is mulling ideas for change and will then seek input from lawyers about what changes they might want to see in Rule 5.5,” said attorney Lynda Shely on Wednesday in an email.

Shely, who advises clients on legal ethics from her firm in Scottsdale, Ariz., and chairs the ABA’s ethics committee, mentioned the ...