Comments welcome for the proposed rulemaking 40 Pa.B. 6775

Comments should be sent to Office of the Secretary, The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,

Attorneys Must Now Disclose Criminal Activity 20 Days Following A Conviction

(Harrisburg, Pa.) – The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has amended a rule (Rule 214), requiring attorneys to disclose if they have been convicted of a crime sooner than the original guidelines determined.

Disciplinary Board of Pennsylvania Makes it Easy for the Public to Know if Lawyers Have Professional Liability Insurance

(Harrisburg, Pa.) – By visiting the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s Web site, the public can now easily determine whether an attorney has professional liability insurance or not. While lawyers are not required to have this type of insurance, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently ordered that lawyers must disclose on their annual fee form whether or not they are insured. In addition, lawyers in private practice are required to notify clients if they do not have professional liability insurance.

Disciplinary Board Proposes Change in Mental Disability Defense Rule

The Disciplinary Board is publishing changes to Rule 301(e) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement, which deals with attorneys who assert mental disability defenses in disciplinary hearings.

Attorneys Seeking Reinstatement Must Take Courses

The Secretary of the Disciplinary Board has published a schedule of the courses an attorney seeking reinstatement must take.

Attention Pennsylvania Attorneys: Annual Attorney Registration Information

The Annual Registration Packets were sent to all attorneys on May 14, so look for yours to arrive in your mailbox this week. Don't forget to send it in by July 1 to avoid late penalties.

Annual Attorney Registration Can Now Be Completed Online!

(Harrisburg, PA) — The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the annual attorney registration can be completed online beginning Monday, May 2, 2011.

Aggressive Actions Taken To Stop Disbarred Lawyer From Continuing To Practice

(Harrisburg, Pa.)— In early August of this year, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County a civil complaint, therein asking the Honorable Pamela Pryor Dembe, President Judge of that court, to enjoin a disbarred Philadelphia attorney from continuing to practice law. The last time ODC had to take such a drastic step to prevent a disbarred attorney from practicing law was 20 years ago.

No new Pennsylvania decisions.

Prominent Philadelphia Attorney Reappointed to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA

(Harrisburg, Pa.) – Gabriel L.I. Bevilacqua, a partner in the Philadelphia law firm of Saul Ewing, LLP, has been reappointed to his second three-year term on the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Nasatir Reappointed to Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA

(Harrisburg, Pa.) – David A. Nasatir, a partner in the Philadelphia office of Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP, was recently reappointed to his second 3-year term on the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Reappoints Lawrence to Disciplinary Board

(Harrisburg, Pa.) – The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has reappointed Gerald Lawrence, Jr., a shareholder and head of the Pennsylvania office of the law firm of Lowey Dannenberg Cohen & Hart, P.C., to a term on the Disciplinary Board running through April 2014.

Two-Term Member of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Appointed Vice-Chair

(Harrisburg, Pa.) – Stewart L. Cohen, a trial lawyer with the Philadelphia law firm of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C., has been appointed Vice-Chair of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Cohen has served as a member of the Board since April 2007.