This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
When a lawyer faces discipline for breaking professional rules, the hearings about their case are open to the public. This applies to hearings held by the Trial Panel, which is the group that first reviews the case, and also to hearings held later by the Supreme Court if the case goes that far.
This means anyone can attend these hearings and watch what happens. The proceedings are not kept secret or closed off. People, including reporters, other lawyers, or members of the public, have the right to sit in and observe how the case unfolds.
The idea behind this rule is to keep the disciplinary process honest and fair. When hearings are open, everyone can see that the lawyer being reviewed gets a fair chance to respond, and that the panel or court is following proper procedures. It also helps build public trust in how the legal system holds lawyers accountable for their actions.
