1. (a) The chair shall have the power and duty:

   1. (1) to supervise the activities of the counsel related to the conduct of the committee;
   2. (2) to authorize the counsel to initiate investigations upon receipt of information indicating the possible unauthorized practice of law in North Carolina;
   3. (3) to authorize the counsel to forego an investigation under such circumstances as the chair deems appropriate;
   4. (4) to recommend, or authorize the counsel to recommend, an appropriate disposition of a complaint;
   5. (5) to direct letters of notice to respondents or to authorize the counsel to issue letters of notice in such cases or under such circumstances as the chair deems appropriate;
   6. (6) to notify, or authorize the counsel to notify, any complainant, and any respondent who was notified of any investigation, of the committee's disposition of a complaint;
   7. (7) to issue subpoenas in the name of the North Carolina State Bar or to direct the secretary to issue such subpoenas;
   8. (8) to administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses;
   9. (9) to verify court pleadings filed by the North Carolina State Bar seeking enforcement of the prohibitions on the unauthorized practice of law.
2. (b) The vice-chair shall perform the functions of the chair of the committee in any matter when the chair is absent or disqualified. If both the chair and the vice-chair are absent or disqualified, a councilor designated by the president shall serve as acting chair.

History Note: Authority G.S. 84-37;
Readopted Eff. December 8, 1994;
Amendments Approved by the Supreme Court: February 3, 2000; March 20, 2024.