Rule 4.1 - Formal Complaint(a) Designation of Counsel and Region. If the SPRB determines that probable cause exists to believe an attorney or LP has engaged in misconduct and that formal proceedings are warranted, it shall refer the matter to Disciplinary Counsel with instructions to file a formal complaint against the attorney or LP, who then becomes the respondent. Disciplinary Counsel, being so advised, may appoint Bar Counsel.(b) Filing. Disciplinary Counsel shall prepare and file with the Disciplinary Board Clerk a formal complaint against the respondent on behalf of the Bar. The formal complaint shall be in substantially the form set forth in BR 13.1.(c) Substance of Formal Complaint. A formal complaint shall be signed by Disciplinary Counsel, or their designee, and shall set forth succinctly the acts or omissions of the respondent, including the specific statutes or rules of professional conduct violated, so as to enable the respondent to know the nature of the charge or charges against the respondent. When more than one act or transaction is relied upon, the allegations shall be separately stated and numbered. The formal complaint need not be verified.(d) Amendment of Formal Complaint. Disciplinary Counsel may amend the formal complaint on behalf of the Bar subject to the requirements of BR 4.4(b) as to any grievance the SPRB has instructed Disciplinary Counsel to file a formal complaint pursuant to BR 4.1(a) and BR 4.1(e).(e) Consolidation of Charges and Proceedings. The Bar, at the SPRB's direction, may consolidate in a formal complaint two or more causes of complaint against the same attorney or LP or attorneys or LPs, but shall file a separate formal complaint against each respondent. The findings and conclusions thereon may be either joint or separate, as the trial panel, in its discretion, may determine. The Bar, at the discretion of the SPRB, may also consolidate formal complaints against two or more attorneys or LPs for hearing before one trial panel.(f) Appointment of Trial Panel. Within 30 days following respondent's timely filing of an answer pursuant to BR 4.3, Disciplinary Counsel shall file a request with the Disciplinary Board Clerk that the regional chairperson appoint an attorney and a public member to serve on the trial panel with the Adjudicator.Rule 4.1a amended by Order dated January 5, 1988. Amended by Order dated June 5, 1997, effective 7/1/1997. Rule 4.1b amended by Order dated February 23, 1988. Rule 4.1a and c amended by Order dated February 5, 2001. Rule 4.1b amended by Order dated June 17, 2003, effective 7/1/2003. Former Rule 4.1d redesignated as Rule 4.1e; Rule 4.1a, 4.1b, 4.1c and 4.1e amended; Rule 4.1d and 4.1f added by Order dated May 3, 2017, effective 1/1/2018. Rule 4.1(a), (e), and (f) amended by Order dated August 17, 2022, effective 7/1/2023. Rule 4.1(c) amended by Order dated December 26, 2023, effective 1/1/2024.