Complaint Screening Committee

The nine-member Complaint Screening Committee consists of five lawyers and four non-lawyers. The Committee meets once a month in Concord.

All docketed complaints are fully investigated by the office's General Counsel. General Counsel then reports to the Committee on the results of the investigation.

The Committee will consider whether there is sufficient evidence of a violation of the Rules warranting further processing of the matter, and may take one of the following actions:

• Table the matter and direct General Counsel to obtain further information.
• Dismiss the complaint.
• Offer diversion to the respondent attorney as an alternative to discipline for minor misconduct.
• Determine that an evidentiary hearing is necessary and refer the matter to Disciplinary Counsel for further action, including presentation of the case to a hearing panel.