Rule 34.9 Effective dates

Here's a plain English summary:

These rules about attorney discipline in Iowa took effect on April 1, 2016. They apply to old and new cases alike, with one key exception: if a hearing had already started before the grievance commission before that date, the old rules still apply to that case.

In simple terms, this rule sets a clear starting line. If your disciplinary hearing began before April 1, 2016, you finish under the old rules. If it hadn't started yet by that date, even if the complaint or violation happened earlier, the new rules in chapters 34, 35, and 36 apply instead.

This matters because it tells attorneys, complainants, and board members which set of rules and procedures will govern a case. It removes confusion about timing by focusing on one specific event: whether the actual hearing had commenced before the commission by the effective date.