General Principles and Jurisdiction

(a) License. The license to practice law in Alaska is a continuing proclamation by the supreme court of the State of Alaska (hereinafter the “Court”) that the holder is fit to be entrusted with professional and judicial matters and to aid in the administration of justice as an attorney and counselor, and to act as an officer of the courts. As a condition of the privilege to practice law, it is the duty of every member of the Bar of this State to act at all times in conformity with the standards imposed upon members of the Alaska Bar Association (hereinafter the “Bar”). These standards include, but are not limited to, the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Code of Judicial Conduct that have been or may hereafter be adopted or recognized by the Court, and Ethics Opinions that have been or may hereafter be adopted by the Board of Governors of the Bar. (b) Duty to Assist. Each member of the Bar has the duty to assist any member of the public in filing grievances against members of the Bar with the Bar Counsel of the Alaska Bar Association (hereinafter “Bar Counsel”). This duty may be fulfilled by assisting that person in preparing a grievance, contacting Bar Counsel regarding that person’s grievance, or giving that person information for contacting Bar Counsel regarding a grievance. Each member of the Bar has the duty to assist Bar Counsel in the investigation, prosecution, and disposition of grievances filed with or by Bar Counsel. Each member has the duty to support the members of Area Discipline Divisions in the performance of their duties. is subject (c) Attorney Jurisdiction. Any attorney admitted to the practice of law in Alaska, or any other attorney who appears, participates, or otherwise engages in the practice of law in this the State, Disciplinary Board of the Alaska Bar Association, and these Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement (hereinafter “Rules”). These Rules will not be interpreted to deny to any other court the powers necessary for that court to maintain control and jurisdiction of the Court, the to supervision over proceedings conducted before it, such as the power of contempt. (d) Venue. Disciplinary jurisdiction in this State will be divided into the following areas: (1) Area 1—The First Judicial District; (2) Area 2—The Second and Fourth Judicial Districts combined; and (3) Area 3—The Third Judicial District. Venue will lie in that area in which an attorney maintains an office or any area in which the conduct under investigation occurred. (e) Attorney Roster. Within 30 days of any change, each member of the Bar has the duty to inform the Bar or otherwise make available to the public his or her current mailing to which communications may be directed by clients and the Bar. telephone number address and (Added by SCO 176 dated February 26, 1974: amended by SCO 345 § 1 effective April 1, 1979: and rescinded and repromulgated by SCO 614 effective January 1, 1985; amended by SCO 658 effective March 15, 1986; by SCO 962 effective July 15, 1989; by SCO 1365 effective April 15, 2000; and by SCO 1518 effective October 15, 2004)