Rule 2.10 - Classification of GrievancesThe Chief Disciplinary Counsel shall within thirty days examine each Grievance received to determine whether it constitutes an Inquiry, a Complaint, or a Discretionary Referral.
A. If the Grievance is determined to constitute an Inquiry, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the dismissal. The Complainant may, within thirty days from notification of the dismissal, appeal the determination to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. If the Board of Disciplinary Appeals affirms the classification as an Inquiry, the Complainant will be so notified and may within twenty days amend the Grievance one time only by providing new or additional evidence. The Complainant may appeal a decision by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel to dismiss the amended Grievance as an Inquiry to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. No further amendments or appeals will be accepted.B. If the Grievance is determined to constitute a Complaint, the Respondent shall be provided a copy of the Complaint with notice to respond, in writing, to the allegations of the Complaint. The notice shall advise the Respondent that the Chief Disciplinary Counsel may provide appropriate information, including the Respondent's response, to law enforcement agencies as permitted by Rule 6.08. The Respondent shall deliver the response to both the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel and the Complainant within thirty days after receipt of the notice. The Respondent may, within thirty days after receipt of notice to respond, appeal to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals the Chief Disciplinary Counsel's determination that the Grievance constitutes a Complaint. If the Respondent perfects an appeal, the pendency of the appeal automatically stays the Respondent's deadline to respond to the Complaint and the deadlines pertaining to the investigation and determination of Just Cause. If the Board of Disciplinary Appeals reverses the Chief Disciplinary Counsel's determination, the Grievance must be dismissed immediately as an Inquiry. If the Board of Disciplinary Appeals affirms the Chief Disciplinary Counsel's determination, the Respondent must respond to the allegations in the Complaint within thirty days after the Respondent receives notice of the affirmance.C. If the Grievance is determined to be a Discretionary Referral, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel will notify the Complainant and the Respondent of the referral to the State Bar's Client Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP). No later than sixty days after the Grievance is referred, CAAP will notify the Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the outcome of the referral. The Chief Disciplinary Counsel must, within fifteen days of notification from CAAP, determine whether the Grievance should be dismissed as an Inquiry or proceed as a Complaint. The Chief Disciplinary Counsel and CAAP may share confidential information for all Grievances classified as Discretionary Referrals.Amended March 1, 2018, effective 6/1/2018; amended August 25, 2023, effective 9/1/2023; amended December 18, 2023, effective 12/18/2023.