Ethics in Brief — More Than the Minimum: Raising the Bar from Compliance to Best Practices
By Valerie Silverman Massey
The California Rules of Professional Conduct (Rules) serve as the ethical backbone of legal practice. These Rules establish the minimum standards required to avoid disciplinary action, but they are not synonymous with best practice. The distinction between compliance and excellence is subtle yet critical — especially in a profession where reputation, trust, and client outcomes hinge on more than just rule-following.