District of Columbia · Through 2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)

D.C. Code § 16-4009: Disqualification of collaborative lawyer and lawyers in associated law firm.

(a)
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, a collaborative lawyer is disqualified from appearing before the tribunal to represent a party in a proceeding related to the collaborative matter.

(b)
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section and §§ 16-4010 and 16-4011, a lawyer in a law firm with which the collaborative lawyer is associated is disqualified from appearing before the tribunal to represent a party in a proceeding related to the collaborative matter if the collaborative lawyer is disqualified from doing so under subsection (a) of this section.

(c)
A collaborative lawyer or a lawyer in a law firm with which the collaborative lawyer is associated may represent a party:
(1)
To ask the tribunal to approve an agreement resulting from the collaborative law process; or
(2)
To seek or defend an emergency order to protect the health, safety, welfare, or interest of a party, family member, or other person, in accordance with subchapter I of Chapter 10 of this title, if a successor lawyer is not immediately available to represent that person.

(d)
If subsection (c)(2) of this section applies, a collaborative lawyer, or lawyer in a law firm with which the collaborative lawyer is associated, may represent a party or family member only until that person is represented by a successor lawyer or reasonable measures are taken to protect the health, safety, welfare, or interest of the person.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 16. Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]
Chapter 40. Collaborative Law; Uniform Act.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, a collaborative lawyer is disqualified from appearing before the tribunal to represent a party in a proceeding related to the collaborative matter.

(b)

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section and §§ 16-4010 and 16-4011, a lawyer in a law firm with which the collaborative lawyer is associated is disqualified from appearing before the tribunal to represent a party in a proceeding related to the collaborative matter if the collaborative lawyer is disqualified from doing so under subsection (a) of this section.

(c)

A collaborative lawyer or a lawyer in a law firm with which the collaborative lawyer is associated may represent a party:

(1)

To ask the tribunal to approve an agreement resulting from the collaborative law process; or

(2)

To seek or defend an emergency order to protect the health, safety, welfare, or interest of a party, family member, or other person, in accordance with subchapter I of Chapter 10 of this title, if a successor lawyer is not immediately available to represent that person.

(d)

If subsection (c)(2) of this section applies, a collaborative lawyer, or lawyer in a law firm with which the collaborative lawyer is associated, may represent a party or family member only until that person is represented by a successor lawyer or reasonable measures are taken to protect the health, safety, welfare, or interest of the person.

Collected 2026-08-29T05:44:07Z. Source file · JSON

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