(b) Disposition of investigations. Upon the conclusion of an investigation, Disciplinary Counsel may, with the prior approval of a Contact Member, dismiss the complaint, informally admonish the attorney under investigation, or institute formal charges;or may, with the prior approval of a member of the Board on Professional Responsibility, enter into a diversion agreement. An attorney who receives an informal admonition may request a formal hearing before a Hearing Committee, in which event the admonition shall be vacated and Disciplinary Counsel shall institute formal charges.
(c) Petitions. Formal disciplinary proceedings before a Hearing Committee shall be instituted by Disciplinary Counsel by the filing of a petition under oath with the Executive Attorney. A copy of the petition shall be served upon the attorney, and another copy shall be sent to the Clerk of the Court. The petition shall be sufficiently clear and specific to inform the attorney of the alleged misconduct. Upon receipt of the petition, without waiting for the attorney to file an answer, the Executive Attorney shall schedule a hearing and assign the matter to a Hearing Committee.
(d) Notice of hearing. After a hearing has been scheduled, the Executive Attorney shall serve notice of the hearing upon Disciplinary Counsel and the attorney, or the attorney's counsel, stating the date and place of the hearing. The date of the hearing shall be at least fifteen days after the date of service of the notice. Service shall be made in accordance with section 19(e) of this rule. The notice shall also advise the attorney that, at the hearing, the attorney shall have the right to be represented by counsel, to cross-examine witnesses, and to present evidence in defense or mitigation of the charges.
(e) Attorney's answer. The attorney shall file an answer to the petition within twenty days after service of the petition unless the time is extended by the Hearing Committee Chairperson. The attorney shall serve a copy of the answer upon Disciplinary Counsel and file the original with the Executive Attorney. If the attorney fails to file an answer within the time provided, the Hearing Committee Chairperson may authorize the filing of an answer at any time before the hearing upon a showing of mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect.
(f) Failure to answer and default. Notwithstanding any action taken pursuant to section 3 (c), if the attorney fails to answer a petition as provided by section 8 (e) of this rule, Disciplinary Counsel may file a motion for default with the Hearing Committee to which the matter has been assigned;the motion must be supported by sworn proof of the charges in the specification and by proof of actual notice of the petition or proper publication as approved by the Court. The Hearing Committee Chairperson may enter an order of default and the petition shall be deemed admitted subject to ex parte proof by Disciplinary Counsel sufficient to prove the allegations, by clear and convincing evidence, based upon documentary evidence, sworn affidavits, and/or testimony. Disciplinary Counsel shall notify the attorney of the entry of a default order.
An order of default is limited to the allegations set forth in Disciplinary Counsel's petition and shall be included in the Hearing Committee's report and recommendation filed with the Board. The Hearing Committee shall issue its report and recommendation based upon the documentary evidence, sworn affidavits, or testimony presented by Disciplinary Counsel, and the report shall set forth proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
An order of default shall be vacated if, within thirty days of
issuance of the Hearing Committee's report, the attorney files a motion
with the Hearing Committee showing good cause why the order should be
set aside. Thereafter, the Board may vacate the order only upon a
showing that failure to do so would result in a manifest injustice.
(g) Discovery. The attorney shall have the right to reasonable
discovery in accordance with rules promulgated by the Board. Rulings
with respect to such discovery proceedings shall be made by the
Chairperson of the Hearing Committee to which the matter has been
assigned for hearing or by the Chairperson of the Board. Objections to
such rulings shall be preserved and may be raised upon appeal to the
Board from the final action of the Hearing Committee. No interlocutory
appeals shall be permitted.
(h) Prehearing conference. In the discretion of the Hearing
Committee Chairperson, a prehearing conference may be ordered for the
purpose of obtaining admissions or otherwise narrowing the issues
presented by the pleadings. The conference may be held before the
Hearing Committee Chairperson or any member of the Committee designated
by its Chairperson.
(i) Conduct of hearings. A Hearing Committee shall conduct
its hearings in accordance with rules promulgated by the Board.