Appointment of Counsel

Whenever counsel is to be appointed pursuant to these rules to investigate allegations of misconduct or to prosecute disciplinary proceedings or in conjunction with a reinstatement petition filed by a disciplined attorney, this court in its discretion and with prior agreement of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania shall appoint as counsel attorneys serving in the Office of Disciplinary Counsel of the Disciplinary Board or one or more members of the bar of this court to investigate allegations of misconduct or to prosecute disciplinary proceedings under these rules or in conjunction with such a reinstatement petition, provided, however, that the respondent-attorney may move to disqualify an attorney so appointed who is or has been engaged as an adversary of the respondent-attorney in any matter. Counsel, once appointed, may not resign unless permission to do so is given by this court.