Upholding professional standards is a key function of the state bar. The bar also helps support the public interest in ensuring that lawyers act ethically and in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. One way that the bar helps ensure proper conduct by attorneys is by permitting the public (whether clients or other lawyers) to file bar grievances against lawyers and judges.

When facing the prospect of asserting a bar grievance, many complainants may fear retribution or unwarranted attack by the recipient of the complaint, such as the threat of legal action for making the complaint. If there were no protections against such counterattack, many complaints would likely never be made. On the other hand, it is important for recipients of bar grievances to have their own protections to ensure that unwarranted complaints do not have unfair consequences.