Opinion ID: 1726998
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 19

Heading: Disciplinary Counsel

Text: 7.1 Disciplinary Counsel shall be licensed to practice law in Tennessee, but shall not be permitted to engage in private practice, except that the Board may agree to a reasonable period of transition after appointment. 7.2 Disciplinary Counsel shall have the power and duty: (a) With the approval of the Board, to employ and supervise staff needed for the performance of his duties. (b) To investigate all matters involving possible misconduct assigned to him by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board. (c) To dispose of all matters (subject to review by the reviewing member of a hearing committee) involving alleged misconduct by dismissal, informal admonition, or the prosecution of formal charges before a hearing committee. Except in matters requiring dismissal because the complaint is frivolous and clearly unfounded on its face or falls outside the Board's jurisdiction, no disposition shall be recommended or undertaken by Disciplinary Counsel until the accused attorney shall have been afforded the opportunity to state his position with respect to the allegations against him. (d) To prosecute all disciplinary proceedings and proceedings to determine incapacity of attorneys before hearing committees, trial courts, and the Supreme Court. (e) To appear at hearings conducted with respect to petitions for reinstatement of suspended or disbarred attorneys or attorneys transferred to inactive status because of disability, to cross-examine witnesses testifying in support of such petitions, and to marshal and present available evidence, if any, in opposition thereto. (f) To file with the Supreme Court certificates of conviction of attorneys for crimes. (g) To maintain permanent records of all matters processed and the disposition thereof.