Proceeding Upon a Determination of Just Cause

All rights characteristically reposed in a client by the common law of this State as to every Complaint not dismissed after an investigatory hearing, resolved through a negotiated judgment entered by an Investigatory Panel, or dismissed by the Summary Disposition Panel are vested in the Commission.

A. Client of Chief Disciplinary Counsel: The Commission is the client of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel for every Complaint not dismissed after an investigatory hearing, resolved through a negotiated judgment entered by an Investigatory Panel, or dismissed by the Summary Disposition Panel.

B. Interim Suspension: In any instance in which the Chief Disciplinary Counsel reasonably believes based upon investigation of the Complaint that the Respondent poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to clients or prospective clients, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel may seek and obtain authority from the Commission to pursue interim suspension of the Respondent’s license in accordance with Part XIV of these rules.

C. Disability: In any instance in which the Chief Disciplinary Counsel reasonably believes based upon investigation of the Complaint that the Respondent is suffering from a Disability to such an extent that either (a) the Respondent’s continued practice of law poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to client or prospective clients; or (b) the Respondent is so impaired as to be unable to meaningfully participate in the preparation of a defense, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel shall seek and obtain client authority to refer the Complaint to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals pursuant to Part XII of these rules.

D. Notification of Complaint: For each Complaint not dismissed after an investigatory hearing, resolved through a negotiated judgment entered by an Investigatory Panel, or dismissed by a Summary Disposition Panel, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel shall give the Respondent written notice of the acts and/or omissions engaged in by the Respondent and of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct that the Chief Disciplinary Counsel contends are violated by the alleged acts and/or omissions.