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Lawyers focusing on corporate bankruptcy matters, especially those who work at firms with a large national presence, often represent clients throughout the country and are commonly admitted to practice in more than one jurisdiction. Further, bankruptcy attorneys often blend their practice with bankruptcy court litigation and out-of-court restructuring and transactional matters.

After a significant amount of litigation including an appeal, remand and trial over a two-year period, the bankruptcy court overseeing In re River Road Hotel Partners LLC[1] ultimately determined that FBR Capital Markets & Co., located in Arlington, Va. (FBR), was entitled to payment of its restructuring fee of $2,666,965.73 and expenses of $12,179.01.

Lawyers focusing on corporate bankruptcy matters, especially those who work at firms with a large national presence, often represent clients throughout the country and are commonly admitted to practice in more than one jurisdiction. Further, bankruptcy attorneys often blend their practice with bankruptcy court litigation and out-of-court restructuring and transactional matters. So what happens when a dual-licensed bankruptcy attorney handling a non-court matter is subject to a state’s disciplinary authority? Which jurisdictional rules will govern that attorney’s conduct?