Pa. Disciplinary Bd. R. 91.122

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General rule. Enforcement Rule 322(a)-(c) provides that:

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The conservator shall take immediate possession of all files of the absent attorney; that if such possession cannot be obtained peaceably, the conservator shall apply to the appointing court for issuance of a warrant authorizing seizure of the files; and that probable cause for issuance of such a warrant shall be an affidavit executed by the conservator reciting the existence of the conservatorship and the fact that the persons in control of the premises where the files are or may be located will not consent to a search for them or their removal or other facts showing that the files cannot be obtained without the use of the process of the court.

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The conservator shall make a written inventory of all files taken into his or her possession.

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The conservator shall make a reasonable effort to identify all clients of the absent attorney whose files were opened within five (5) years of the appointment of the conservator, regardless of whether the case is active or not, and a reasonable effort to identify all clients whose cases are active, regardless of the age of the file. The conservator shall send all such clients, and former clients, written notice of the appointment of a conservator, the grounds which required such appointment, and the possible need of the clients to obtain substitute counsel. All such notices shall include the name, address and telephone number of any lawyer referral service or similar agency available to assist in the location of substitute counsel. The conservator shall, if necessary, send a second written notice to all clients of the absent attorney whose files appear to be active.

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All clients whose files are identified by the conservator as both inactive and older than five (5) years shall be given notice by publication of the appointment of a conservator, the grounds which required such appointment, and the possible need of the clients to obtain substitute counsel. All such notices shall include the name, address and telephone number of any lawyer referral service or similar agency available to assist in the location of substitute counsel. The specific method of publication shall be approved by the appointing court, as to both the method, and duration, of publication. At minimum a notice shall appear on one day in each of a newspaper of general circulation and the legal journal in the county in which the absent attorney maintained a principal office. The conservator shall deliver proofs of publication to the appointing court at the time of filing the application for discharge.

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A file may be returned to a client upon the execution of a written receipt, or released to substitute counsel upon the request of the client and execution of a written receipt by such counsel. The conservator shall maintain an electronic record of all receipts. On approval by the appointing court of the application for discharge, all files remaining in the possession of the conservator shall be destroyed by the conservator in a secure manner which protects the confidentiality of the files.

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Prohibited conduct. Enforcement Rule 322(d) provides that neither the conservator nor any partner, associate or other lawyer practicing in association with the conservator shall represent any of the absent attorney’s clients in connection with any matter identified during the conservatorship. With the consent of the client, the conservator may refer a client’s matter to a lawyer other than a lawyer disqualified from providing representation under this subsection. The conservator shall not be eligible to receive a referral fee.

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Written report. Enforcement Rule 322(e) provides that the conservator shall file a written report with the appointing court and the Board no later than 30 days after the date of appointment covering the matters specified in subsection (a) of this section; that if those duties have not been accomplished, then the conservator shall state what progress has been made in that regard; and that thereafter, the conservator shall file a similar written report every 60 days until discharge.

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Enforcement Rule 322(f) provides that in the case of a deceased attorney, the conservator shall notify the executor of the estate of the Disciplinary Board’s need to be reimbursed by the estate for the costs and expenses incurred in accordance with § 91.128(3) (relating to compensation and expenses of conservator).