Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024
Section 1020.6 - Duties and authority of county and local bar associations(a) A county or local bar association may review, investigate and dispose of a complaint involving allegations of minor delay that resulted in no permanent harm to the client, fee disputes, personality conflicts between attorney and client, or other minor matters that, in the discretion of a committee or the chief attorney, do not warrant action by a committee or the Appellate Division, subject to the following provisions: (1) When a complaint is submitted directly to a bar association by a complainant, the bar association shall provide to the chief attorney, within 20 days of receipt of the complaint, a report in a form prescribed by the chief attorney, a copy of the complaint, and any other relevant correspondence.(2) When a bar association retains jurisdiction over a complaint after notifying the chief attorney as required by paragraph (1) of this subdivision, or where a complaint is referred to the bar association by the chief attorney pursuant to section 1020.5(e) of this Part, the association shall, within 60 days of the date of receipt of the complaint, complete its investigation and forward to the chief attorney the file, along with a status report in a form prescribed by the chief attorney. When the bar association has not reached a determination resolving the complaint within the 60-day period, the committee may assume jurisdiction of the matter by providing written notice to the bar association. The association may make a written request to the chief attorney for an extension of the 60-day period.(3) A complaint received by a bar association that involves a matter other than a minor delay, fee dispute or personality conflict shall be forwarded to the chief attorney as soon as possible and in no event more than 20 days after receipt thereof.(b) Each bar association shall file with the chief attorney quarterly reports on attorney grievance matters in a form prescribed by the chief attorney. The report shall be filed within 15 days of the end of each quarter. N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 22 § 1020.6