RULE 3
THE COMMISSION ON LAWYER CONDUCT

(a) Commission Created. There is hereby created a Commission on Lawyer Conduct.

(b) Jurisdiction. The Commission shall have jurisdiction over all allegations that a lawyer has committed misconduct or is incapacitated.

(c) Appointment of Members. The Commission shall be composed of 50 members appointed by the Supreme Court. 34 members shall be regular members of the South Carolina Bar. 16 members shall be public members.

(d) Terms. Attorney members shall serve for a term of 4 years and public members shall serve for a term of 2 years. Commission members shall be eligible for reappointment. A member assigned to a hearing panel may continue to participate in the hearing and decision of a matter despite the expiration of the member's term if the hearing began before the expiration of the term.

(e) Removal. The Supreme Court may remove any member of the Commission.

(f) Vacancies. A vacancy shall occur when a Commission member ceases to be eligible to represent the category from which the member was appointed, is removed, or becomes unable to serve for any reason. An appointment to fill the vacancy shall be made by the Supreme Court. A member selected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the duration of the unexpired term.

(g) Powers Not Assumed. These rules shall not be construed to deny any court the powers necessary to maintain control over its proceedings. Nothing in these rules shall limit the authority of the Supreme Court to enjoin and to punish as contempt of court any person who engages in the unauthorized practice of law.

Last amended by Order dated December 28, 2012, effective January 1, 2013.