By Order dated April 18, 2019, upon recommendation of the Disciplinary Board, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania amended Rules 102, 104, 205, 206, 208, 209, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 301, 401, and 403 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement and Rule 8.3 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, to formally reorganize the operations of the Disciplinary Board.
A principal change is the elimination of the Office of the Secretary and the position of Secretary of the Board. Instead, the Board has designated an Executive Director to oversee the Board Prothonotary’s Office, the Attorney Registration Office, finance, human resources, technology, and communications. The Board Prothonotary’s Office, headed by the Board Prothonotary, will continue to serve as the Board’s filing office. The Board is assisted by legal counsel, consisting of Counsel to the Board, primarily providing guidance to the Board in performance of its duties, and the newly-created position of Special Counsel, primarily providing counsel to the hearing committee members in performance of their duties.
Additional key changes give the Board more flexibility in appointing hearing committees and special masters, which will facilitate workflow and ensure the timely advancement of matters through the disciplinary system.
The rule amendments take effect May 18, 2019.