(a) Purpose. The Chief Justice's Commission on the Profession is created in recognition of the need for the emphasis upon and encouragement of professionalism in the practice of law.

(b) Membership. The Commission's chairperson will be the Chief Justice or the Chief Justice's designee. The Chief Justice will appoint the Commission's other members as follows.

(1) State Judges: Two Circuit Court Judges, two Family Court Judges; and additional judges from either the state appellate or trial bench as the Chief Justice may deem necessary.

(2) Practicing Lawyers: Seven practicing lawyers, giving due regard for diversity of representation, nominated by the Board of Governors of the South Carolina Bar.

(3) Law School Faculty: Two members of the faculty of a South Carolina Law School.

(4) Instructor/Administrator: One person who is involved in the instruction of legal assistants, is involved in instruction at the undergraduate or technical college level, or serves as a law office administrator.

In addition, the Chief Justice may extend an invitation to serve on the Commission to a U.S. District Court Judge from the District of South Carolina.

(c) Responsibilities. The Commission shall ensure that the practice of law remains a high calling which serves clients and the public good. Its major responsibilities are:

(1) To monitor and coordinate South Carolina's professionalism efforts in the bar, the courts and the law school;

(2) To monitor professionalism efforts in other jurisdictions;

(3) To plan and conduct symposiums, seminars, and other meetings on professionalism;

(4) To ensure the presence of a professionalism component in the Essentials Series Programs;

(5) To make recommendations to the Court, the South Carolina Bar, voluntary bar associations and the law school concerning additional means by which professionalism can be enhanced;

(6) To receive and administer grants and to make expenditures therefrom as the Commission shall deem prudent; and

(7) To receive and respond to inquiries concerning professionalism from the judiciary and the bar. The Commission shall have no authority to respond to complaints within the province of the Commission on Lawyer Conduct or the Commission on Judicial Conduct.

(d) Commission Regulations. Regulations may be promulgated by the Court or the Commission. Regulations will be effective only upon approval of the Court.

Last amended by Order dated March 8, 2017.