RULE 10. COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS
All proceedings hereunder shall be commenced by filing an application in the Office of the Bar, on forms provided by the Bar. The application shall include a written statement of the facts and circumstances surrounding the dispute, furnishing complete names and addresses. If the materials submitted exceed twenty-five (25) pages, the client-applicant shall submit three additional sets of the materials.
If the applicant is a client, but is not the person who paid for the lawyer's services, the third party payer, with the written consent of the client-applicant, may jointly file with the client-applicant, with both signatures affixed to the application.
If the responding party is an attorney, the Bar shall forward the completed application, as filed, to the attorney by electronic mail, with confirmation of delivery. If the responding party is not an attorney, the Bar shall forward the completed application, as filed, to the responding party by certified mail, return receipt requested. A copy shall be sent by regular mail or email to the circuit chair in the circuit where the principal place of practice of the attorney is located. If the application involves attorneys in more than one circuit, a copy of the completed application shall be sent to the chair of the Executive Council, who shall designate which of these circuit chairs shall have jurisdiction and shall proceed with the matter.
If the amount in dispute exceeds $7,500, the circuit chair may appoint a hearing panel without assignment of the matter to an assigned member.
After the initial correspondence, all other correspondence will be sent by regular mail or, with the written consent of the client and lawyer, by email. Such written consent may be withdrawn by written notice served on all other parties or attorneys. If served by regular mail, correspondence will be deemed served upon deposit in the U.S. Mail with proper postage affixed. If served by email, service is complete upon transmission, unless the party making service learns that the attempted service did not reach the person to be served. All parties have the duty to inform the circuit chair of any change of address.
Last amended by Order dated August 7, 2015.