WA · rules

Wash. R. for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct 10.3

Commencement of Proceedings

activein force · 2014-01-01 – presentact-effective-date

(a) Formal Complaint.

(1) Filing. After a matter is ordered to hearing, disciplinary counsel files a formal

complaint with the Clerk.

(2) Service. After the formal complaint is filed, it must be personally served on the

respondent lawyer, with a notice to answer.

(3) Content. The formal complaint must state the respondent’s acts or omissions in

sufficient detail to inform the respondent of the nature of the allegations of misconduct.

Disciplinary counsel must sign the formal complaint, but it need not be verified.

(4) Prior Discipline. Prior disciplinary action against the respondent may be described in a

separate count of the formal complaint if the respondent is charged with conduct demonstrating

unfitness to practice law.

(b) Filing Commences Proceedings. A disciplinary proceeding commences when the

formal complaint is filed.

misconduct, or the chief hearing officer after consultation with any assigned hearing officer, has

discretion to consolidate for hearing two or more matters against the same respondent, or to join

matters against two or more respondents. A consolidation or joinder ordered under this

provision serves as authorization to combine multiple matters in one formal complaint or to

amend the formal complaint to the extent necessary to implement the joinder or consolidation.

(d) Severance. On motion of a party, the hearing officer, in furtherance of convenience or

to avoid prejudice, or when severance will promote a fair determination of the issues, may order

a severance and separate hearing of any matter joined or consolidated for hearing under

subsection (c) of this rule.

History

[Adopted effective October 1, 2002; Amended effective January 1, 2014.]

Provenance

Source: www.courts.wa.gov
Retrieved: 2026-09-16
Edition: 2026-09-16
Content hash: bb7947219a242898f00cb03e4549d0984a89194d39afbb033e4446414e8d2955

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