What does Rule 8.4 clarify regarding professional conduct?

Rule 8.4 addresses various aspects of professional conduct for attorneys, particularly focusing on what constitutes professional misconduct. It explicitly outlines behaviors and actions that lawyers must avoid to maintain the integrity of the legal profession. This includes engaging in criminal acts, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, as well as conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. By establishing these standards, Rule 8.4 serves as a vital guideline for legal professionals, ensuring they uphold ethical principles while practicing law.

The other choices do not accurately represent the core function of Rule 8.4. Although advertising practices, minor misrepresentations, and client communication are important areas of legal ethics, they fall under different rules or guidelines and are not specifically defined within Rule 8.4. This rule's primary focus is on defining what actions are considered misconduct, making option C the right choice in the context of professional conduct.