(a) Any person may file a written complaint alleging attorney misconduct. A grievance panel may, on its own motion, initiate and file a written complaint alleging attorney misconduct. A complaint against an attorney shall be filed with the State-Wide Bar Counsel. Within five working days of the receipt of a complaint the State-Wide Bar Counsel shall:
- (1) Forward the complaint to the appropriate grievance panel as determined under rules of court; and
- (2) Notify the complainant and the respondent, by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the panel to which the complaint was forwarded. The notification to the respondent shall be accompanied by a copy of the complaint.
- (b) The respondent shall have the right to respond within ten days of receipt of notification to the grievance panel to which the complaint has been referred.
- (c) The State-Wide Bar Counsel shall keep a record of all complaints filed with him. The complainant and the respondent shall notify the State-Wide Bar Counsel of any change of address or telephone number during the pendency of the proceedings on the complaint.
- (d) If for good cause shown, a grievance panel declines, or is unable pursuant to sections 51-90 to 51-91b, inclusive, to investigate a complaint referred to the panel, such panel shall forthwith return the complaint to the State-Wide Bar Counsel to be referred by him immediately to another panel. The State-Wide Bar Counsel shall give notice of such referral to the complainant and the respondent by certified mail, return receipt requested.
(P.A. 86-276, S. 6, 15; 86-403, S. 105, 132; P.A. 88-152, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 86-403 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting proviso that grievance panel shall not be deemed “complainant”; P.A. 88-152 amended Subsec. (a) to require action by the state-wide bar counsel within five “working” days, rather than five days, of the receipt of a complaint.