Rule 3-319 Termination of disciplinary proceedings.

If someone files a complaint against a lawyer and later decides not to sign it or help pursue it, that alone does not stop the disciplinary case. The process can move forward even without the complaining person's cooperation.

The same goes for situations where the lawyer and the person who complained work things out on their own. If they settle the matter, reach a compromise, or the lawyer pays back money or fixes the harm done, this does not automatically end the disciplinary proceedings either.

This rule exists because lawyer discipline is not just a private dispute between two people. It protects the public and keeps trust in the legal profession. So even if the person who complained loses interest or the two sides make peace, the disciplinary system can still look into whether the lawyer broke the rules and decide what should happen next.