Md. Rule 17-506 (2026)

(a) Definitions. In this Rule, “firm” and “screened” have the meanings stated in Rule 19-301.0 of the Maryland Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct.

(b) Generally. Except as otherwise provided in section (c) of this Rule:

(1) a collaborative attorney who represents a client in a collaborative law process pursuant to a collaborative law participation agreement may not represent a party in a proceeding related to the collaborative matter, notwithstanding any subsequent agreement between the client and the attorney; and

(2) an attorney associated with a firm with which the collaborative attorney is associated may not appear before a tribunal to represent a party in a proceeding related to the collaborative matter if the collaborative attorney is prohibited from doing so under this section.

(c) Exceptions.

(1) If the collaborative attorney is associated with a firm that is (A) a legal services organization providing legal services to indigent individuals or (B) the legal department of a government, another attorney in the firm may represent the collaborative attorney's client in a proceeding, provided that the collaborative attorney is timely screened from participation in the subsequent representative and full disclosure of this exception is made and acknowledged in the collaborative law participation agreement.

Cross reference: See Rule 17-503(b).

(2) A collaborative attorney may represent a party in connection with the filing of a stipulation, consent judgment, or request for court action to implement an agreement resolving a collaborative matter.

Cross reference: See Rule 17-505(a) and (b)(2).

Source: This Rule is new.

Credits

[Adopted March 2, 2015, eff. July 1, 2015. Amended June 6, 2016, eff. July 1, 2016.]