North Dakota to change rules for lawyer misconduct

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court has approved changes to how lawyers are investigated and punished for professional misconduct.

The biggest change is that the disciplinary counsel's office in Bismarck will investigate complaints and then report back to regional committees, which currently investigate complaints from their regions with the disciplinary counsel's help. The committees will maintain their authority to rule on the cases, with punishments ranging from admonitions to disbarment.

The new rules, which are in part aimed at speeding up cases, will take effect March 1, The Bismarck Tribune reported.

The update comes after a 2014 American Bar Association review concluded that the disciplinary system could be more professional, streamlined and transparent. The association noted that inconsistencies among the regions and perception of bias may have developed because the nine-person committees investigate complaints from their own regions.

Read more: http://www.devilslakejournal.com/news/20161027/north-dakota-to-change-rules-for-lawyer-misconduct