A screenshot of the top of the letter the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers shared about a rule change that would allow U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to intervene into a North Carolina State Bar investigation into ethics complaints about federal attorneys.
With a federal deadline looming, the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers is urging attorneys to speak up about a proposed federal rule change that could impede North Carolina State Bar investigations into federal attorneys.
Here’s a letter from association President Kimberly Moore, a former federal prosecutor, warning that the U.S. Department of Justice change could erode the longstanding role of state bars as independent watchdogs.
The association was organized to advance justice for Black people and traces back to the North Carolina Lawyers Association organized in Durham in 1954.
You can read about the rule change here and submit a comment here. Comments are due before April 6.
Letter from the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers
Dear Colleagues,
I write to encourage members of the legal community to review and submit comments regarding the Department of Justice’s recently proposed rule titled “Review of State Bar Complaints and Allegations Against Department of Justice Attorneys.”
The proposal would amend federal regulations to allow the Attorney General to review ethics complaints against current or former DOJ attorneys before state bar disciplinary authorities proceed with investigative steps that require the participation of those attorneys.
As a former federal prosecutor, I believe this proposal raises significant concerns about the traditional role that state bars play in regulating the ethical conduct of attorneys licensed to practice law.
For generations, state bar disciplinary systems have served as the guardrails of our profession. They ensure that every lawyer, whether in private practice, government service, or public defense, is accountable to the same ethical standards. Independent review by state disciplinary authorities helps maintain public confidence in the integrity of our legal system and reinforces the principle that no attorney operates outside the rules governing our profession.
Allowing a federal agency to intervene in or delay state bar disciplinary processes risks undermining that longstanding structure of professional accountability. At a time when public trust in legal institutions must be protected and strengthened, the independence of state bar oversight should remain clear and uncompromised.
The Department of Justice is accepting public comments on this proposal through April 6, 2026. I encourage members of the bar and the public to review the proposed rule and submit comments through the federal rulemaking portal.
Participation in the rulemaking process is one way we help preserve the ethical standards and professional independence that define the legal profession.
Warm regards,
Kimberly A. Moore
President
North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers
This story was originally published March 27, 2026 at 12:27 PM.
