An Act to strengthen rules governing attorney conduct; penalties for misconduct

This bill amends Massachusetts law to impose stricter penalties on attorneys who engage in deceit, collusion, or other forms of misconduct that harm clients or the judicial process. It directly affects lawyers, government attorneys, and municipal counsel by removing their ability to claim absolute, qualified, or litigation immunity when they commit fraud, perjury, or knowingly present false evidence. Under the new rules, any injured party can file a civil lawsuit without a time limit to recover treble damages, and attorneys found guilty of such actions face immediate disbarment and personal liability for their wrongful acts. The legislation also clarifies that even a single violation is sufficient grounds for accountability, regardless of whether there is a history of prior misconduct.