Preliminary review committee

(1) The 14-member preliminary review committee consists of 9 lawyers and 5 public members appointed by the supreme court. Members serve staggered 3-year terms. A member may serve not more than 2 consecutive 3-year terms. (2) The preliminary review committee, having a quorum of 8 members, is comprised of 2 7-member panels, each having at least 4 lawyers and 2 public members and a quorum of 4 members. The chairperson of the preliminary review committee shall designate the members of each panel and shall devise and implement a rotation system by which each member of the committee serves on each panel during each 3-year period. 148 (3) The duties of the preliminary review panels are: (a) To review the results of investigations of allegations of attorney misconduct or medical incapacity presented by the director and to determine whether there is cause for the director to proceed in the matter. The affirmative vote of four or more members of a panel is required to determine cause to proceed in a matter. (b) To review at the request of a grievant the director's closing of a matter prior to investigation under SCR 22.02(6)(a) and dismissal of a grievance following investigation under SCR 22.05(1)(a). (c) To confer periodically with the board of administrative oversight about the operation of the preliminary review committee and panels and suggest improvements in their operation. (4) The preliminary review committee shall hold regularly scheduled meetings at least quarterly. At the first meeting of each calendar year, the preliminary review committee shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson to act in the absence of the chairperson. (5) Each panel shall meet as needed and shall report its determinations to the chairperson of the preliminary review committee. (6) The portions of the meetings of the preliminary review committee and of the panels relating to specific disciplinary matters are closed. The portions of the meetings relating to other matters are open. (7) The preliminary review committee and the panels shall take and retain full and complete minutes of the open and closed sessions of their meetings. The minutes of the open sessions are available to the public. (8) The preliminary review panels shall function pursuant to the procedures set forth in SCR chapter 22. (9) Members of the preliminary review committee are entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with membership on the committee.