Ala. R. Disc. P. 15

As amended through October 30, 2024

Rule 15 - Immunity

(a)Complaints, petitions, and testimony. Complaints and petitions submitted pursuant to these Rules or testimony with respect thereto shall be absolutely privileged, and no lawsuit predicated thereon may be instituted.

(b)Official duty immunity. The following shall be immune from suit for any conduct in the course of their official duties:

(1) Members of the Executive Committee of the Alabama State Bar;

(2) Members of the Disciplinary Commission;

(3) Members of the Disciplinary Board, including lay members;

(4) The General Counsel and the staff of the Office of General Counsel;

(5) Members of local grievance committees and any executive committee or member of a local bar association while serving as a part of the local grievance process;

(6) A Bar commissioner while participating in the grievance procedure;

(7) A Disciplinary Hearing Officer;

(8) The Disciplinary Clerk;

(9) The Client Security Fund Committee and its members or consultants;

(10) Trustees appointed pursuant to Rule 29 of these Rules and monitors or mentors appointed pursuant to Rule 21 of these Rules;

(11) The Alabama State Bar Lawyer Assistance Program and any member of its staff or its agents;

(12) The Alabama State Bar Practice Management Assistance Program and any member of its staff or its agents.

(13) In addition, any financial institution reporting an overdraft of a lawyer's trust account pursuant to the provisions of Rule 1.15(e) of the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct shall be immune from suit for any conduct in the course of its official duties in complying with Rule 1.15.

(c)Reporting of professional misconduct. A lawyer acting in compliance with Rule 8.3, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, shall be immune from civil suit.

(d)Unauthorized practice of law. Members of the Alabama State Bar serving on the Alabama State Bar Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee or on Unauthorized Practice of Law Committees of local bar associations and members of the State Bar staff investigating, unauthorized-practice-of-law complaints, or taking action, against individuals for the unauthorized practice of law, shall be immune from civil suit for any conduct in the course of their official duties.

A person submitting an unauthorized-practice-of-law complaint to the Alabama State Bar shall be immune from civil suit.

Ala. R. Disc. P. 15

Amended 10-9-91; Amended eff. 4/10/1992; Amended 4-29-97, eff. 8/1/1997; Amended 5-3-00, eff. 8/1/2000; Amended 9-12-08, eff. 10/6/2008; Amended 1-9-09.

Note from the reporter of decisions: The order amending Rule 15(b), effective August 1, 2000, is published in that volume of Alabama Reporter that contains Alabama cases from 753 So.2d.

Note from the reporter of decisions: The order amending Rule 4, Rule 4.1, Rule 4.2, Rule 5, Rule 8, Rule 12, Rule 15, Rule 20, Rule 21, Rule 22, Rule 23, Rule 27, Rule 28, Rule 29, Rule 32, Rule 33, and Rule 35, and adopting Rule 12.1, effective October 6, 2008, is published in that volume of Alabama Reporter that contains Alabama cases from 994 So.2d.

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