In addition to the 11 standing Committees, there is a roster of alternate Hearing Committee members, who serve when a regular member is unavailable. Hearing Committees consider evidence and the testimony of witnesses, taken under oath. Committees are generally guided, but not bound, by provisions or rules of court practice, procedure, pleading and evidence. At the conclusion of the hearing, the parties file briefs, and the Committee drafts a report to the Board, with findings of fact and recommended conclusions of law. Reports are usually drafted by the Committee Chair, but he or she may delegate the drafting to another member.
Hearings can take from a few hours to several days.
Each Hearing Committee considers approximately 8 cases a year. Hearings are open to the public. Hearing Committee members are appointed periodically by the Board on Professional Responsibility and can serve two consecutive three-year terms. Copyright 2001 District of Columbia Bar. All Rights Reserved.