Washington State Courts

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Washington State Court Rules : Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct

Table of Rules
Title 1 – Scope, Jurisdiction, and Definitions
1.1	Scope of Rules
1.2	Jurisdiction
1.3	Definitions
1.4	No Statute of Limitation
1.5	Violation of Duties Imposed by These Rules
Title 2 – Organization and Structure
2.1	Supreme Court
2.2	Board of Governors
2.3	Disciplinary Board
2.4	Review Committees
2.5	Hearing Officer or Panel
2.6	Hearing Officer Conduct
2.7	Conflicts Review Officer
2.8	Disciplinary Counsel; Special Disciplinary Counsel
2.9	Adjunct Investigative Counsel
2.10	Removal of Appointees
2.11	Compensation and Expenses
2.12	Communications to the Association Privileged
2.13	Respondent Lawyer
Title 3 – Access and Notice
3.1	Open Meetings and Public Disciplinary Information
3.2	Confidential Disciplinary Information
3.3	Application to Stipulations, Disability Proceedings, and Diversion Contracts
3.4	Release or Disclosure of Otherwise Confidential Information
3.5	Notice of Discipline
3.6	Maintenance of Records
Title 4 – General Procedural Rules
4.1	Service of Papers
4.2	Filing; Orders
4.3	Papers
4.4	Computation of Time
4.5	Stipulation to Extension or Reduction of Time
4.6	Subpoena Under the Law of Another Jurisdiction
4.7	Enforcement of Subpoenas
Title 5 – Grievance Investigations and Disposition
5.1	Grievants
5.2	Confidential Sources
5.3	Investigation of Grievance
5.4	Privileges
5.5	Discovery Before Formal Complaint
5.6	Disposition of Grievance
5.7	Advisory Letter
Title 6 – Diversion
6.1	Referral to Diversion
6.2	Less Serious Misconduct
6.3	Factors for Diversion
6.4	Notice to Grievant
6.5	Diversion Contract
6.6	Affidavit Supporting Diversion
6.7	Effect of Non-Participation in Diversion
6.8	Status of Grievance
6.9	Termination of Diversion
Title 7 – Interim Procedures
7.1	Interim Suspension for Conviction of A Crime
7.2	Interim Suspension in Other Circumstances
7.3	Automatic Suspension When Respondent Asserting Incapacity
7.4	Stipulation to Interim Suspension
7.5	Interim Suspensions Expedited
7.6	Effective Date of Interim Suspensions
7.7	Appointment of Custodian to Protect Clients' Interests
Title 8 – Disability Proceedings
8.1	Action on Adjudication of Incompetency
8.2	Determination of Incapacity to Practice Law
8.3	Disability Proceedings During the Course of Disciplinary Proceedings
8.4	Appeal of Transfer to Disability Inactive Status
8.5	Stipulated Transfer to Disability Inactive Status
8.6	Costs in Disability Proceedings
8.7	Burden and Standard of Proof
8.8	Reinstatement to Active Status
8.9	Petition for Limited Guardianship
Title 9 – Resolutions Without Hearing
9.1	Stipulations
9.2	Reciprocal Discipline and Disability Inactive Status; Duty to Self-Report
9.3	Resignation in Lieu of Disbarment
Title 10 – Hearing Procedures
10.1	General Procedure
10.2	Hearing Officer or Panel
10.3	Commencement of Proceedings
10.4	Notice to Answer
10.5	Answer
10.6	Default Proceedings
10.7	Amendment of Formal Complaint
10.8	Motions
10.9	Interim Review
10.10	Prehearing Dispositive Motions
10.11	Discovery and Prehearing Procedures
10.12	Scheduling Hearing
10.13	Disciplinary Hearing
10.14	Evidence and Burden of Proof
10.15	Bifurcated Hearings
10.16	Decision of Hearing Officer or Panel
Title 11 – Review by Board
11.1	Scope of Title
11.2	Decisions Subject to Board Review
11.3	Sua Sponte Review
11.4	Transcript of Hearing
11.5	Record on Review
11.6	Designation of Bar File Documents and Exhibits
11.7	Preparation of Bar File Documents and Exhibits
11.8	Briefs for Reviews Involving Suspension or Disbarment Recommendation
11.9	Briefs for Reviews not Involving Suspension or Disbarment Recommendation
11.10	Supplementing Record on Review
11.11	Request for Additional Proceedings
11.12	Decision of Board
11.13	Chair May Modify Requirements
Title 12 – Review by Supreme Court
12.1	Applicability of Rules of Appellate Procedure
12.2	Methods of Seeking Review
12.3	Appeal
12.4	Discretionary Review
12.5	Record to Supreme Court
12.6	Briefs
12.7	Argument
12.8	Effective Date of Opinion
12.9	Violation of Rules
Title 13 – Sanctions and Remedies
13.1	Sanctions and Remedies
13.2	Effective Date of Suspensions and Disbarments
13.3	Suspension
13.4	Reprimand
13.5	Admonition
13.6	Discipline for Cumulative Admonitions
13.7	Restitution
13.8	Probation
13.9	Costs and Expenses
Title 14 – Duties on Suspension or Disbarment
14.1	Notice to Clients and Others; Providing Client Property
14.2	Lawyer to Discontinue Practice
14.3	Affidavit of Compliance
14.4	Lawyer to Keep Records of Compliance
Title 15 – IOLTA, Audits, and Trust Account Overdraft Notification
15.1	Audit and Investigation of Books and Records
15.2	Cooperation of Lawyer
15.3	Disclosure
15.4	Trust Account Overdraft Notification
15.5	Declaration or Questionnaire
15.6	Regulations
15.7	Trust Accounts and the Legal Foundation of Washington
Title 16 – Effect of These Rules On Pending Proceedings
16.1	Effect on Pending Proceedings

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