← Back to the Code of Ethics
(a)A paralegal shall not:
(1)violate or attempt to violate these Rules;
(2)induce another to engage in conduct, or give assistance to another's conduct, when the paralegal knows that conduct will violate these Rules;
(3)engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
(4)engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice;
(5)state or imply an ability to influence improperly any tribunal, legislative body, government agency or official;
(6)avoid in bad faith the repayment of an education loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or other governmental entity. The lawful discharge of an education loan in a bankruptcy proceeding shall not constitute bad faith under this rule.
(7)violate a Federal, State or local statute or ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, disability, religion, or national origin by conduct that reflects adversely on the paralegal's fitness as a paralegal.
(b)A paralegal possessing knowledge not otherwise protected as a confidence by these Rules or by law that a lawyer has committed a violation of Rule 8.4(a)(3) or (a)(4) of the Rules of Professional Conduct shall report such knowledge to a tribunal or other authority empowered to investigate or act upon such violation.
(c)A paralegal possessing knowledge not otherwise protected as a confidence by these Rules or by law that a judge has committed a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct which raises a question as to the judge's fitness for office shall inform the appropriate authority.
(d)Upon proper request of a tribunal or other authority empowered to investigate or act upon the conduct of lawyers or judges, a paralegal possessing information not otherwise protected as a confidence by these Rules or by law concerning another lawyer or a judge shall reveal fully such information.
(e)A paralegal who holds public office shall not:
(1)use that office to obtain, or attempt to obtain, a special advantage in a legislative matter for a client under circumstances where the paralegal knows or reasonably should know that such action is not in the public interest;
(2)use that office to influence, or attempt to influence, a tribunal to act in favor of a client;
(3)represent any client, including a municipal corporation or other public body, in the promotion or defeat of legislative or other proposals pending before the public body of which such paralegal is a member or by which such paralegal is employed.
(f)A paralegal who holds public office may accept political campaign contributions as permitted by law.