Va. Code » Title 54.1. Professions and Occupations » Subtitle IV. Professions Regulated by the Supreme Court » Chapter 39. Attorneys » Article 2. Bar Organization and Government
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-3909 (2026)

Rules and regulations defining practice of law and prescribing procedures for practice of law by law students, codes of ethics, use of limited liability companies, and disciplinary procedure

✓ laws through the 2026 session (checked Sept. 2026)
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The Supreme Court may promulgate rules and regulations:

Defining the practice of law.

Prescribing procedures for the limited practice of law by third-year law students.

Prescribing a code of ethics governing the professional conduct of attorneys including the practice of law or patent law through professional law corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships, and a code of judicial ethics.

Prescribing procedures for disciplining, suspending, and disbarring attorneys.

Code 1950, § 54-48; 1973, c. 484; 1974, c. 456; 1988, c. 765; 1992, c. 574.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1997–2023 · leading case: Fails v. Virginia State Bar, 574 S.E.2d 530 (Va. 2003).
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Fails v. Virginia State Bar, 574 S.E.2d 530 (Va. 2003). · cites it 2× “Fails recognizes the authority of this Court under Code § 54.1-3909 to prescribe “a code of ethics governing the professional conduct of attorneys” and to prescribe “procedures for disciplining, suspending, and disbarring attorneys.”
Pappas v. Virginia State Bar, 628 S.E.2d 534 (Va. 2006). · cites it 2× “" In accordance with this statutory authority, we promulgated Part Six of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.”
Motley v. Virginia State Bar, 403 F. Supp. 2d 468 (E.D. Va. 2005). “§ 54.1-3909 (2005). To that end, the Virginia State Bar serves as an administrative arm of the Supreme Court of Virginia for the purpose of developing and promulgating ethics regulations, and investigating, prosecuting and reporting ethics violations.”
Nickolas G. Spanos v. Shannon L. Taylor, 883 S.E.2d 720 (Va. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “” Code § 54.1-3909. Consistent with this charge, the Supreme Court has adopted detailed guidelines and procedures for disciplinary proceedings involving attorneys.”
Spanos v. Vick, 576 F. Supp. 3d 361 (E.D. Va. 2021). · cites it 2× “” The Court has adopted comprehensive disciplinary rules, including procedures to suspend and disbar lawyers.”
Nickolas G. Spanos v. Michael Y. Feinmel, Esquire, No. 0140222 (Va. Ct. App. Mar. 7, 2023). · cites it 2× “” Code § 54.1-3909. Consistent with this charge, the Supreme Court has adopted detailed guidelines and procedures for disciplinary proceedings involving attorneys.”
Spanos v. Gibney, No. 3:22-cv-00503 (E.D. Va. Nov. 17, 2022). · cites it 2× “” Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-3909 (West). In turn, the Virginia Supreme Court has adopted extensive procedures for disciplining, suspending, and disbarring attorneys.”
MNC Credit Corp. v. Ashburton, L.P., 41 Va. Cir. 528 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 1997). · cites it 5× “See, Va. Code § 54.1-3909, et seq. For example, the Introduction to Part 6, Section I of the Rules of Court emphasizes that “[t]he relation of attorney and client is direct and personal.”
Wesley Eugene Baker, II v. Commonwealth of Virginia, No. 2611073 (Va. Ct. App. Feb. 17, 2009). · cites it 2× “See Code § 54.1-3909 and Rule 6, § 1 (“[T]he Virginia State Bar, as the Administrative agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia, carries forward the responsibility for the discipline of lawyers and the investigation of persons practicing law in the Commonwealth without proper…”
In re Rhetta Daniel, No. 19-9512 (4th Cir. Dec. 28, 2022). “” Va. Code § 54.1-3909, -3915. Exercising its authority to promulgate rules and regulations consistent with state statutes, the court has codified its attorney discipline procedures in the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, which delegates “general administrative authority…”
Zaug v. Virginia State Bar, 737 S.E.2d 914 (Va. 2013). · cites it 2× “2 of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct states that “[i]n representing a client, a lawyer shall not communicate about the subject of the representation with a person the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has the consent of…”
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