PENNSYLVANIA RULES OF DISCIPLINARY ENFORCEMENT 

Rule 404. Permanent Resignation and Readmission. 

f Resignation while in good standing. An attorney who is not the 

subject of any investigation into allegations of misconduct may permanently resign 

from the bar of this Commonwealth by submitting a written resignation to the 

Attorney Registration Office. 

Oa Resignation while under Administrative Suspension. An attorney who 

is administratively suspended for failure to comply with Pennsylvania Rules for 

Continuing Legal Education or Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement 

and not the subject of any investigation into allegations of misconduct may 

permanently resign from the bar of this Commonwealth by submitting a written 

resignation to the Attorney Registration Office. 

ic) Readmission. An attorney who has permanently resigned from the 

practice of law in this Commonwealth pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) of this rule 

may not be reinstated under the Enforcement Rules and must seek readmission to 

the bar pursuant to the Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rules. 
PENNSYLVANIA RULES OF DISCIPLINARY ENFORCEMENT 

Rule 102. Definitions. 

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"Formerly admitted attorney." A disbarred, suspended, administratively suspended, 

permanently resigned, retired or inactive attorney. 

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Rule 201. Jurisdiction. 

(a) The exclusive disciplinary jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the Board 

under these rules extends to: 

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(3) Any formerly admitted attorney, with respect to acts prior to 

suspension, disbarment, administrative suspension, permanent resignation, or transfer 

to or assumption of retired or inactive status, or with respect to acts subsequent thereto 

which amount to the practice of law or constitute the violation of the Disciplinary Rules, 

these rules or rules of the Board adopted pursuant hereto. 

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Rule 204. Types of discipline. 

(c) A reference in these rules to disbarment, suspension, temporary 

suspension, administrative suspension, permanent resignation, or transfer to or 

assumption of retired or inactive status shall be deemed to mean, in the case of a 

respondent -attorney who holds a Limited In -House Corporate Counsel License, 

expiration of that license. A respondent -attorney whose Limited In -House Corporate 

Counsel License expires for any reason: 

(1) shall be deemed to be a formerly admitted attorney for purposes of 

Rule 217 (relating to formerly admitted attorneys); and 
(2) shall not be entitled to seek reinstatement under Rule 218 (relating to 

reinstatement) or Rule 219 (relating to annual registration of attorneys) and instead 

must reapply for a Limited In -House Corporate Counsel License under 

Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rule 302. 

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Rule 217. Formerly admitted attorneys. 

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(d) (3) In cases of disbarment, suspension for a period exceeding one year, 

temporary suspension under Enforcement Rule 208(f) or 213(g), or disability 

inactive status under Enforcement Rule 216 or 301, a formerly admitted attorney 

shall also promptly: 

(i) resign all appointments as personal representative, executor, 

administrator, guardian, conservator, receiver, trustee, agent under a power 

of attorney, or other fiduciary position; 

(ii) close every IOLTA, Trust, client and fiduciary account; 

(iii) properly disburse or otherwise transfer all client and fiduciary 

funds in his or her possession, custody or control; and 

(iv) take all necessary steps to cancel or discontinue the next 

regular publication of all advertisements and telecommunication listings that 

expressly or implicitly convey eligibility to practice law in the state courts of 

Pennsylvania. 

The formerly admitted attorney shall maintain records to demonstrate compliance with 

the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) and shall provide proof of compliance at the time 

the formerly admitted attorney files the verified statement required by subdivision (e)(1) 

of this Rule. 

Note: Paragraph (d)(3)(i) does not preclude a respondent - attorney who voluntarily assumes inactive or retired status, 

permanently resigns, is placed on administrative suspension, 

is temporarily suspended under Enforcement Rule 214, or is 

suspended for one year or less, from completing existing 

appointments and accepting new appointments of the nature 

identified in paragraph (d)(3)(i). Nonetheless, in order to 

comply with subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) of this Rule, the 

formerly admitted attorney who desires to complete existing 
appointments or accept future appointments must give written 

notice of the formerly admitted attorney's registration status or 

change in that status to appointing and supervising judges and 

courts, wards, heirs, beneficiaries, interested third parties, and 

other recipients of the formerly admitted attorney's fiduciary 

services, as notice of the formerly admitted attorney's other - than -active status gives all interested parties an opportunity to 

consider replacing the formerly admitted attorney or enlisting a 

person other than the formerly admitted attorney to serve as 

the fiduciary in the first instance. Although the formerly admitted 

attorney would not be precluded by paragraph (d)(3)(ii) from 

continuing to use a fiduciary account registered with the bank 

as an IOLTA or Trust Account, paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) 

and paragraph (4)(iv) of subdivision (j) of this Rule prohibit the 

formerly admitted attorney from using or continuing to use 

account checks and deposit slips that contain the word 

"IOLTA," "attorney," "lawyer," "esquire," or similar appellation 

that could convey eligibility to practice in the state courts of 

Pennsylvania. Notwithstanding the specific prohibitions of 

subdivision (j) of this Rule, the formerly admitted attorney is 

authorized to perform those services necessary to carry out the 

appointment with the exception of any service that would 

constitute the unauthorized practice of law if engaged in by a 

nonlawyer. In relation to formerly admitted attorneys who are 

disbarred, suspended for a period exceeding one year, 

temporarily suspended under Enforcement Rule 208(f) or 

213(g), or transferred to disability inactive status, the 

requirements of paragraph (d)(3) continue throughout the term 

of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, or 

disability inactive status, thereby precluding any new 

appointment or engagement. 

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Rule 219. Annual registration of attorneys. 

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(b) The following shall be exempt from paying the annual fee required by 

subdivision (a): 
(1) Justices or judges serving in the following Pennsylvania courts of 

record shall be exempt for such time as they serve in office: Supreme, Superior, 

Commonwealth, Common Pleas, and Philadelphia Municipal; and justices or 

judges serving an appointment for life on any federal court; 

(2) retired attorneys; [and] 

(3) permanently resigned attorneys under Enforcement Rule 404; 

and 

LIL military attorneys holding a limited certificate of admission issued 

under Pa.B.A.R. 303 (relating to admission of military attorneys). 

Note: The exemption created by subdivision (b)(1) does not 

include Pittsburgh Municipal Court judges, magisterial district 

judges, arraignment court magistrates or administrative law 

judges.