Rule 2-29. Grievance Panels

(a) The judges of the Superior Court shall appoint one or more grievance panels in each judicial district, each consisting of two members of the bar who do not maintain an office for the practice of law in such judicial district and one nonattorney who resides in such judicial district, and shall designate as an alternate member a member of the bar who does not maintain an office for the practice of law in such judicial district. Terms shall commence on July 1. Appointments shall be for terms of three years. No person may serve as a member and/or as an alternate member for more than two consecutive three year terms, but may be reappointed after a lapse of one year. The appointment of any member or alternate member may be revoked or suspended by the judges or by the executive committee of the Superior Court. In connection with such revocation or suspension, the judges or the executive committee shall appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term or for any other appropriate period. In the event that a vacancy arises on a panel before the end of a term by reasonsother than revocation or suspension, theexecutive committee ofthe Superior Court shall appoint an attorney or nonattorney, depending on the position vacated, who meets the appropriate condition set forth above to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term.

(b) Consideration for appointment to these positions shall be given to those candidates recommended to the appointing authority by the administrative judges.

(c) In the event that more than one panel has been appointed to serve a particular judicial district, the executive committee of the Superior Court shall establish the jurisdiction of each such panel.

(d) An attorney who maintains an office for the practice of law in the same judicial district as a respondent may not participate as a member of a grievance panel concerning a complaint against that respondent.

(e) In addition to any other powers and duties set forth in this chapter, each panel shall:

(1) On its own motion or on complaint of any person, inquire into and investigate offenses whether or not occurring in the actual presence of the court involving the character, integrity, professional standing and conduct of members of the bar in this state.

(2) Compel any person by subpoena to appear before it to testify in relation to any matter deemed by the panel to be relevant to any inquiry or investigation it is conducting and to produce before it for examination any books or papers which, in its judgment, may be relevant to such inquiry or investigation.

(3) Utilize an official court reporter or court recording monitor employed by the Judicial Branch to record any testimony taken before it.

(f) The grievance panel may, upon the vote of a majority of its members, require that a disciplinary counsel pursue the matter before the grievance panel on the issue of probable cause.

Committee Notes

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 27B.) (Amended June 24, 2002, to