Rule 12.09 Designation of Party

If someone files a complaint against a lawyer or judge, that person is called the "respondent." This is just the official name used in the case for the person the complaint is about.

Think of it like this: in a lawsuit, you have a plaintiff and a defendant. In these disciplinary cases, the person facing the complaint is called the respondent instead of the defendant. This label stays with them throughout the case process.