Who Files Complaints Against Pennsylvania Attorneys
In Pennsylvania, complaints against attorneys are filed with the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania / Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Complaints can come from many sources — every Pennsylvania board accepts written complaints from the public:
- Current and former clients
- Opposing counsel and opposing parties
- Judges (mandatory reporting in many circumstances)
- Other lawyers (mandatory reporting under Rule 8.3)
- Bar staff who become aware of misconduct
Common Ethics Violations Pennsylvania Attorneys Face
- Trust account / IOLTA mismanagement and commingling of client funds
- Failure to communicate with clients (Rule 1.4 violations)
- Conflicts of interest, including concurrent and former-client conflicts
- Missed statutes of limitation and other deadlines
- Unauthorized practice of law in another jurisdiction
- Fee disputes and excessive fees
- Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation (Rule 8.4(c))
- Criminal conduct reflecting on fitness to practice
How Pennsylvania Attorney Investigations Work
Once the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania / Office of Disciplinary Counsel dockets a complaint against a Pennsylvania attorney, the process moves through several stages:
- Notice and demand for response. You receive written notice from the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania / Office of Disciplinary Counsel with a deadline — usually 20–30 days — to file a sworn written response. This document becomes part of the permanent record.
- Document discovery. The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania / Office of Disciplinary Counsel can issue subpoenas for records — files, billing, prescriptions, communications.
- Witness interviews. Investigators interview the complainant, colleagues, and other witnesses.
- Probable cause review. A panel decides whether to file formal charges. The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania / Office of Disciplinary Counsel may also seek interim restrictions or summary suspension.
- Negotiated resolution or hearing. Most cases resolve through a consent agreement before formal hearing.
- Final order and appeal. The board issues a final order, appealable to the Pennsylvania courts.
Pennsylvania-Specific Context
Pennsylvania's Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement (Pa.R.D.E.) provide a multi-stage process — Disciplinary Counsel, Hearing Committee, Board, and Supreme Court review — and the Educator Discipline Act (24 P.S. §§ 2070.1a et seq.) creates a specific regime for teacher misconduct.
Consequences of an Upheld Complaint
Disciplinary outcomes range from private admonition, public reprimand, and probation, to suspension and disbarment. Many states also impose restitution, CLE requirements, and mandatory practice monitoring.
In Pennsylvania, sanctions imposed by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania / Office of Disciplinary Counsel are reported to national clearinghouses and to every other state where you hold or seek a license.
Don't Respond Alone.
Free, confidential consultation for Pennsylvania attorneys. We will tell you what the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania / Office of Disciplinary Counsel can and cannot do, what your real exposure is, and what your response should look like.