Calif. Targets Lawyer Harassment, Bias in Proposed Ethics Rules

California is polishing up its rules of conduct for more than 250,000 lawyers. One notable proposal would discipline lawyers for harassment and discrimination-in some cases even if they aren’t directly engaged in the behavior.

What’s changed since the state bar last year submitted the rules for California Supreme Court approval are the #MeToo movement and a proposal to make settlements public if they involve judicial employees accused of discrimination or harassment. Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye pitched the idea last month, and proponents are hoping for the court’s endorsement.

The chief justice’s proposal will “open the robes to let daylight in,” ...