Opinion ID: 901122
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Eicher Generated Complaint

Text: [¶ 43.] While the three complaints against Eicher were pending, Eicher, within a five day period, filed four disciplinary complaints. Two were filed against Koch and Clayborne, the attorneys who had filed complaints against Eicher. Two were filed against Clayborne's law partners All were investigated, found meritless, and expunged. [9] [¶ 44.] Rule 8.3(a), which mandates the reporting of a fellow lawyer's misconduct, [L]imits the rule to cases of known violations that directly implicate the integrity of the legal profession. The duty to report accordingly applies only to cases raising a substantial question about another lawyer's very fitness to practice law. This formula puts a burden on the reporting lawyer to make a preliminary judgment whether a violation rises to that level. 2 Geoffrey C. Hazard Jr., et al, The Law of Lawyering at § 8.3:102. Eicher's complaints against Clayborne and Koch did not rise to that level. The Disciplinary Board and the Referee correctly found that these were retaliatory in nature. [¶ 45.] SDCL 16-19-30 provides: Complaints submitted to the board or testimony with respect thereto shall be absolutely privileged and no civil action predicated thereon may be instituted. Members of the board, the board's counsel, board staff and any personnel or legal counsel appointed pursuant to § 16-19-29(2) shall be immune from suit for any conduct in the course of their official duties. Eicher claims that the immunity provided by this statute means no attorney may be the subject of a disciplinary action because the attorney filed a complaint ultimately rejected by the Board. Eicher misreads this court rule. SDCL 16-19-30 precludes a civil action predicated on complaints submitted to the Board. Article V § 12 of the South Dakota Constitution vests the ultimate authority for regulation of attorneys with this Court. It is hardly consistent with this mandate that this Court would enact a court rule that would preclude it from imposing discipline upon attorneys who violate the ethical rules by filing unwarranted complaints with the Disciplinary Board under the premise that such improper conduct is privileged. SDCL 16-19-30 does not preclude accountability for a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct. [¶ 46.] The Referee and the Disciplinary Board concluded that Eicher's filing of retaliatory and meritless complaints violated Rules 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.4 and 8.4. Our review of the complaints against Clayborne and Koch establishes no error.