Rule 4 Character and Fitness Committee

(a) Appointment; Composition of Committee; Restriction on Appointments; Terms; Vacancy; Officers; Quorum.

(1) Appointment. The Court appoints the Members of the Committee.

(2) Composition of Committee. The Committee consists of seven Members:

(A) Either one retired Supreme Court justice or an active or retired judge;

(B) Three attorneys admitted to the Bar for at least three years before appointment; and

(C) Three nonattorneys.

(3) Restriction on Appointments. No current Examiner or Associate Examiner of the Board may serve as a Member of the Committee.

(4) Terms. Terms commence on October 1. Each term of appointment is for four years, plus any additional time necessary for appointment of a successor.

(5) Vacancy. If a Member resigns, or an appointment is otherwise vacant, the Court will appoint a successor to complete the unexpired term.

(6) Officers.

(A) Appointment of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The Judge Member will serve as Chairperson of the Committee. Annually on October 1, the Court will designate a Member to serve as the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson will serve in such capacities until their successors are designated.

(B) Responsibilities of Chairperson. The Chairperson ensures all reporting requirements of the Committee are completed in accordance with these rules.

(7) Quorum. A quorum consists of four Members or all Members not disqualified, whichever is less.

(b) Duty to Determine Good Moral Character and Fitness. It is the Committee’s duty to determine, through fair, impartial, and thorough investigation, whether an Applicant possesses good moral character and fitness warranting the Applicant’s admission to the Bar to engage in the practice of law.

(c) Annual Report. Annually, by October 1, the Committee must report in writing to the Court its activities and recommendations, if any, relating to policies or procedures for investigating Applicants’ moral character and fitness.

(d) Compensation and Expenses. In the performance of their Committee duties, each Member is eligible to receive per diem compensation and be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses equivalent to that provided by law for comparable boards and commissions. A request for compensation and reimbursement of expenses must be made on a Court-approved voucher and be submitted to the Court Administrator.