Rule 2.5 Intake and Review of Inquiries and Complaints by the Intake Office

by the Intake Office.

(1) Intake Office. The Bar shall maintain an Intake Office, separate from that of Disciplinary Counsel. The Intake Office shall, to the extent possible and resources permitting, receive, review, and respond to all inquiries received by the Bar concerning the conduct of licensees. The Intake Office will determine the manner and extent of review required for the appropriate disposition of any inquiry, and may refer inquiries to other resources as it deems appropriate.

(2) Disposition by Intake Office.

(a) If the Intake Office determines that, even if true, an inquiry does not allege misconduct, it shall dismiss the inquiry with written notice to the complainant and to the licensee named in the inquiry.

(b) If the Intake Office determines, after reviewing the inquiry and any other information deemed relevant, that there is sufficient evidence to support a reasonable belief that misconduct may have occurred, the inquiry shall be referred to Disciplinary Counsel as a grievance. Otherwise, the inquiry shall be dismissed with written notice to the complainant and the licensee.

(c) The Intake Office may, as it deems appropriate, contact the involved licensee and attempt to assist the parties in resolving the complainant’s concerns upon receipt of an inquiry. The provision of such assistance does not preclude a referral of a grievance to Disciplinary Counsel.

(3) Review by General Counsel. Any dismissed inquiry may be reviewed by the General Counsel upon written request of the complainant. General Counsel may request additional information from the complainant or the licensee and, after review, shall either affirm the dismissal or refer the inquiry to Disciplinary Counsel as a grievance. General Counsel may affirm the dismissal by adopting the reasoning of the Intake Office without additional discussion. The decision of General Counsel is final.