Even with the fate of a new rule aimed to curb biased and discriminatory conduct by attorneys tied up in the courts, Pennsylvania’s Disciplinary Board has been increasing efforts to target misconduct and harassment claims against lawyers, according to lawyers who practice before the body.

U.S. District Judge Chad Kenney of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania found in March that Rule 8.4(g), which the state Supreme Court first adopted in 2020, was not narrowly tailored enough to survive strict scrutiny, and was unconstitutionally vague. The matter is currently being appealed to the Third Circuit.