HR1966: HR1966 Reaffirming our commitment to attorney integrity and recognizing fiduciary duties owed by attorneys to clients and co-counsel; recognize

This resolution does not change any Georgia statute. It is a statement from the House of Representatives affirming its support for honest and trustworthy conduct by attorneys practicing in Georgia. The resolution notes that lawyers are already bound by duties of loyalty, honesty, and fidelity under the state's Rules of Professional Conduct, and that when attorneys jointly represent a client, they share responsibility for handling client funds and attorney's fees. The resolution formally states that House members recognize attorneys engaged in joint representation owe fiduciary duties both to their clients and to their co-counsel (the other attorneys working on the same case). It also directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and the press.

• Formally states that House members reaffirm their commitment to attorney integrity in Georgia's legal system.
• Recognizes that attorneys who jointly represent a client owe fiduciary duties, meaning legal obligations of loyalty and honesty, to that client.
• Recognizes that attorneys in a joint representation also owe fiduciary duties to their co-counsel, the other lawyers working the same case.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.

Attorneys practicing law in Georgia, particularly those who share representation of a client with other lawyers (co-counsel arrangements), and by extension the clients whose funds and legal fees those attorneys jointly handle.

The resolution does not create new enforceable rules or penalties, but it puts the House on record supporting existing duties of honesty and fair handling of client funds among attorneys who work together on cases, which could be cited in future debates over attorney conduct rules.

• The whereas clauses describe attorneys' existing duties of loyalty, candor, honesty, transparency, and fidelity under Georgia's Rules of Professional Conduct.
• The resolved clause states that House members recognize attorneys in joint representation owe fiduciary duties to their clients and to one another.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2026-03-27House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-27House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-27House Hopper (House)

• Tyler Smith (R, HD-018)Primary sponsor
• Stan Gunter (R, HD-008)

• attorney ethics
• legal profession
• fiduciary duty
• co-counsel
• legal fees