Who May Originate Complaints - Initial and Further Investigation - Hearing and Opportunity for Attorney Involved to Appear and Present Evidence

A complaint that an attorney has violated any of the standards of conduct specified in Rule 83-3.1.2, may come to the Committee from any District, Bankruptcy or Magistrate Judge of the Court or from any other person. The complaint shall be in writing addressed to the Committee in care of the Clerk of Court. Within 10 days of receipt, the Clerk shall serve a copy of the complaint on the Chair of the Committee, the attorney affected and the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court. Within 10 days of receipt of any such complaint, the Committee chair shall assign the matter of possible disciplinary action based on the complaint to one of the sections of the Committee for initial investigation and possible disciplinary proceedings.

Any attorney of the assigned section who cannot participate shall so notify the Chair within 10 days of assignment so that a replacement can be assigned. Within 60 days of receipt, the section to which such a complaint is referred shall conduct and complete an initial investigation. If the section determines that the complaint should not be the subject of further disciplinary action, and the Committee concurs in that determination, the matter will thereupon be closed. Notice of closing shall be promptly sent to the complainant, the attorney affected and the Chief Judge.

If the Committee determines that the complaint should be further investigated as being one that may result in disciplinary 12/1/2025 Chapter I - 113 LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA action, the section shall thereupon within 60 days conduct and complete such further investigation and inquiries as it deems necessary. The section, in so doing, may take the testimony of witnesses and may seek from the Chief Judge, or his or her designee, any subpoena necessary for its investigation and the Clerk shall promptly issue any such requested subpoena. The affected attorney may also apply to the Chief Judge, or his or her designee, for any necessary subpoenas. All final disciplinary actions will be distributed to the judicial officers of the Court.

Final disciplinary action, including the name of the attorney, will be posted on the Court’s website when it consists of (a) disbarment; (b) suspension; (c) public reproval; or (d) resignation with charges pending. It may be ordered posted if the disciplinary action consists of monetary penalties. Other final disciplinary actions may be posted, without the name of the attorney, to promote understanding of the level of practice expected in this district. The deadlines in this paragraph may be extended by the Committee Chair for a period of up to six months, for good cause at the request of the section or the affected attorney.

The deadlines may be extended for a longer time in consultation with the Chief Judge. L.R. 83-3.1.4.1 Appointment of Prosecutor. At the request of the investigating section, concurred in by the Chair of the Committee, the Chief Judge may appoint a member of the Bar of the Court who is not a Committee member to (1) supervise and conduct such further investigation as may be appropriate; (2) prosecute the matter at any hearing conducted by the section or the Committee or any other proceeding the Court may require before entering an order of discipline; and (3) defend any order of discipline on appeal. By order of the Chief Judge, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee, the prosecutor shall be 12/1/2025 Chapter I - 114 LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA compensated for services out of the Attorneys’ Admission Fund.

L.R. 83-3.1.4.2 Duties of the Chief Judge. If the Chief Judge is recused or otherwise is unavailable to perform the duties as outlined in this rule, the duties shall be referred to the next available district judge in regular active service who is senior in commission of all the active judges. L.R. 83-3.1.4.3 Indemnification of Prosecutor, Section, and Committee. Any expenses incurred in the prosecution of a disciplinary proceeding and any award of court costs against the Section, the Committee or the prosecutor shall likewise be paid out of the Attorneys’ Admission Fund.