The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Media Information

Following is information for the media regarding The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Should the media have additional questions, please call or email the media relations contact listed below.

Disciplinary Board Facts

  • The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA was created in November 1972.
  • The Disciplinary Board is an independent agency under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction.
  • The Disciplinary Board is comprised of 13 members, of whom 11 are attorneys and two are non-lawyers from across the state of Pennsylvania.
  • The Disciplinary Board’s goals are to protect the public, maintain the integrity of the legal profession and to safeguard the reputation of the courts.
  • The purpose of the disciplinary system is to assist the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in performing its constitutional duty to regulate attorney conduct.
  • All attorneys who practice law in Pennsylvania are licensed by the Supreme Court.
  • The Disciplinary Board is funded by the annual registration fees each attorney is required to pay when licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. The Disciplinary Board receives no tax funds.
  • The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) is responsible for receiving and investigating complaints against attorneys in each district.
  • Complaints against attorneys are filed with the District Offices which have jurisdiction over the counties where the lawyers practice. There are four District Offices, which represent the 67 counties. They are located in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Trooper, and Lemoyne, Pennsylvania.
  • To learn if an attorney has been recently disciplined, visit the Web site at http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/discipline/index.php.
  • Within 24 business hours after a Supreme Court Order is entered, the action is posted in the Recent Discipline table (http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/discipline/index.php). The individual attorney information is updated semimonthly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA?

The purpose of the disciplinary system is to assist the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in performing its constitutional duty to regulate attorney conduct. The Disciplinary Board is an independent agency under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction. It is funded by annual assessments paid by attorneys licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. The Disciplinary Board receives no tax funds.

What is the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA’s goals?

The Disciplinary Board’s goals are to protect the public, maintain the integrity of the legal profession, and to safeguard the reputation of the courts. As a result, the disciplinary system greatly helps maintain the integrity of the courts, and all legal processes, in Pennsylvania.

Who makes up the Disciplinary Board?

The Disciplinary Board is comprised of 11 attorneys and two non-lawyers from across the state of Pennsylvania. These are voluntary, unpaid positions to which the members are appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to three-year terms. Board members may be reappointed to a second three-year term, but no more. The Board meets regularly to decide board administrative matters, cases and policies.

What happens when an attorney is disciplined?

If an attorney has been disbarred, suspended, or transferred to inactive status, the orders take effect 30 days after the date of the Court’s order, unless a suspension or disbarment is made retroactive to a date of temporary suspension. In this case, the order will clearly state that the discipline is retroactive and will also include the effective date.

After the entry of the order, an attorney shall not accept any new retainer or engage as attorney for another in any new case or legal matter of any nature. However, during the period from the entry of the order and its effective date the formerly admitted attorney may wind up and complete, on behalf of any client, all matters which were pending on the entry date.

How do I search for an attorney?

By visiting the “Look Up” section of the Web site (http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/pa_attorney_search.php) you are able to search Pennsylvania attorneys and gain information about an attorney, such as an attorney's status, date of admission, current address, or whether an attorney, has been subjected to public discipline and/or disability.

How can I find attorneys who have been recently disciplined?

To learn if an attorney has been disciplined, visit the Web site at http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/discipline/index.php. You are able to search disciplinary actions from the last 60 days, by year, respondent, attorney ID, county or action taken. Those actions prior to 2005 can be found by looking up the individual attorney.

What types of discipline are instituted?

There are a number of disciplinary actions that will be taken depending on the extent of the violation. For example, disciplinary actions range through the following:

  • Informal Admonition
  • Private Reprimand
  • Public Censure
  • Suspension
  • Disbarment
  • Probation

How do I find the report and recommendations regarding the actions made by the Disciplinary Board per attorney?

If a report has been filed, you will find it on the Supreme Court Actions page (http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/discipline/index.php). Search for the attorney and if a report has been filed, it will be listed as “Opinion” and available to download as a PDF.

How long does it take for disciplinary actions to be posted on the Web site?

Within 24 business hours after a Supreme Court Order is entered, the action is posted in the Recent Discipline table (http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/discipline/index.php). The individual attorney information is updated semimonthly.

What is the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s role?

The Constitution of Pennsylvania grants the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania exclusive jurisdiction over all matters of attorney discipline in Pennsylvania. The Supreme Court promulgates and, in its discretion, may amend the Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement and the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Supreme Court also exercises ultimate authority over the Disciplinary Board, its members, and the staff housed in both the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the Executive Director’s office. The Supreme Court appoints all members of the Disciplinary Board and designates those who shall serve as Board Chair and Vice-Chair.

Only the Supreme Court can impose public discipline (i.e. public censure, probation under supervision provided by the Board, suspension for a period not exceeding five years and disbarment). All attorneys who practice law in Pennsylvania are licensed by the Supreme Court.

What are the Rules of Professional Conduct?

The Rules of Professional Conduct must be followed by all attorneys practicing law. The Rules of Professional Conduct mandate minimum ethical standards for the practice of law, and constitute a set of rules, which all lawyers must follow.  A lawyer who violates these rules may be disciplined and given penalties ranging from private discipline, to being prohibited from practicing law in Pennsylvania, which can be either a suspension or disbarment. For more information, visit http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/documents/RulesOfProfessionalConduct.pdf.

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Media Relations Contact

Megan Kurtz
Suasion
717-432-2468

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