Paragraph 13-24 Board Proceedings Upon Disbarment, Revocation or Suspension in Another Jurisdiction

(A) Definitions Specific to Paragraph 13-24. The following terms have the meaning set forth below unless the content clearly requires otherwise:

(1) “State Jurisdiction” means any state, United States Territory, or District of Columbia law licensing or attorney disciplinary authority, including the highest court of any such Jurisdiction, authorized to impose attorney discipline effective throughout the Jurisdiction.

(2) “Jurisdiction” refers to either a “State Jurisdiction” or any federal court or agency authorized to discipline attorneys, including the United States military.

(B) Initiation of Proceedings. Upon receipt of a notice from the Clerk that another Jurisdiction has, as a disciplinary measure, suspended or revoked the law license of an Attorney (“Respondent”) or has suspended or revoked Respondent’s privilege to practice law in that Jurisdiction, and that such action has become final (the “Suspension or Revocation Notice”), any Board member must enter on behalf of the Board an order requiring Respondent to show cause why discipline that is the same or equivalent to the discipline imposed in the other Jurisdiction should not be imposed by the Board. If the Suspension or Revocation Notice is from a State Jurisdiction and the suspension or revocation has not been suspended or stayed, then the Board’s order must suspend Respondent’s License pending final disposition of the Proceeding hereunder. The Board must serve upon Respondent by certified mail the following: a copy of the Suspension or Revocation Notice; a copy of the Board’s order; and a notice fixing the date, time and place of the hearing before the Board to determine what action should be taken in response to the Suspension or Revocation Notice and stating that the purpose of the hearing is to provide Respondent an opportunity to show cause why the same or equivalent discipline that was imposed in the other Jurisdiction should not be imposed by the Board. Notwithstanding the above, notice of a suspension or revocation for merely administrative reasons, such as the failure to pay dues or the failure to complete required continuing legal education, is not considered a Suspension or Revocation Notice.

(C) Opportunity for Response. Respondent may file a written response, which must be confined to argument and exhibits supporting one or more of the following grounds for dismissal or imposition of lesser discipline: Any such written response must be filed with the Clerk within 14 days of the date of mailing of the Board order, via certified mail, to Respondent’s last address of record with the Bar.

(1) The record of the proceeding in the other Jurisdiction would clearly show that such proceeding was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to constitute a denial of due process;

(2) The imposition by the Board of the same or equivalent discipline upon the same proof would result in an injustice;

(3) The same conduct would not be grounds for disciplinary action or for the same or equivalent discipline in Virginia; or

(4) The misconduct found in the other Jurisdiction would warrant the imposition of substantially lesser discipline in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

(D) Scheduling and Continuance of Hearing. Unless continued by the Board for good cause, the hearing must be set not less than 21 nor more than 30 days after the date of the Board’s order.

(E) Provision of Copies. The Clerk must furnish to the Board members designated for the hearing and make available to Respondent copies of the Suspension or Revocation Notice, the Board’s order against the Respondent, the notice of hearing, any notice of continuance of the hearing, and any written response or materials filed by Respondent or by Bar Counsel.

(F) Hearing Procedures. Insofar as applicable, the procedures for Proceedings on allegations of Misconduct must govern. Bar Counsel has discretion to put forth evidence and argument that one or more of the grounds specified in Paragraph 13-24.C exists. If Respondent does not file a timely written response, but appears at the hearing and expresses intent to present evidence or argument supporting the existence of one or more of the grounds specified in Paragraph 13-24.C, Respondent must make a proffer to the Board. The Board may refuse to consider such evidence or argument as untimely. If the Board in its discretion is willing to consider such evidence or argument, then Bar Counsel, upon motion, may be entitled to a continuance.

(G) Burden of Proof. The burden of proof to establish the existence of one or more of the grounds specified in Paragraph 13-24.C is clear and convincing evidence. Unless one or more of the grounds specified in Paragraph 13-24.C has been established by clear and convincing evidence, the Board must conclude that Respondent was afforded due process by the other Jurisdiction and the findings of the other Jurisdiction must be conclusive of all matters for purposes of the Proceeding before the Board.

(H) Action by the Board. If the Board determines that none of the grounds specified in Paragraph 13-24.C exist by clear and convincing evidence, it must impose the same or equivalent discipline as imposed in the other Jurisdiction. If the Board finds by clear and convincing evidence the existence of one or more of the grounds specified in Paragraph 13-24.C, the Board must enter an order it deems appropriate. A copy of any order imposing discipline must be served upon Respondent via certified mail, return receipt requested. Any such order is final and binding, subject only to appeal as set forth in the Rules of Court.

(I) Optional Demand for Three-Judge Circuit Court. If either the Respondent or Bar Counsel elects to have further proceedings conducted pursuant to Va. Code § 54.1-3935, the Respondent party seeking to terminate Board proceedings must file a demand with the Clerk within 14 days of the date of mailing of the Board order and simultaneously provide available dates for a hearing not less than 30 nor more than 120 days from the date of the demand. Upon such demand and provision of available dates as specified above, further proceedings before the Board must be terminated and Bar Counsel must file the complaint required by Va. Code § 54.1-3935. The hearing must be scheduled as soon as practicable. However, the 30- to 120-day time frame does not constitute a deadline for the hearing to be held. Any summary Suspension issued by the Board must remain in effect until the court designated under Va. Code § 54.1-3935 enters a final order. If the Respondent or Bar Counsel fails to file a demand, and provide available dates, as specified above, the Respondent or Bar Counsel is deemed to have consented to the jurisdiction of the Board. The amendments effective December 1, 2025, revised Paragraph 13-24(I). The amendments effective November 28, 2023, revised Paragraph 13-24 to add sub-paragraph "I. Demand for Three-Judge Circuit Court" to add a specific mechanism and deadline for a Respondent to elect a three-judge circuit court in proceedings upon Disbarment, Revocation, or Suspension in another jurisdiction. The amendments effective July 16, 2021, revised Paragraph 13 to promote greater fairness, efficiency, consistency, and transparency in bar proceedings. The amendments effective December 1, 2019, revised Paragraph 13-24 to clarify and simplify language. The amendments effective March 1, 2017, revised Paragraph 13 to clarify what qualifies as another jurisdiction for reciprocal discipline purposes; clarify the disciplinary board’s authority to impose the same, equivalent, or lesser discipline as another jurisdiction; allow for leniency as appropriate; and provide the disciplinary board with discretion in enforcing the default provision.. The amendments effective March 19, 2010, revised Paragraph 13 dealing with the use of the phrase "Charge of Misconduct".