Subchapter E. FORMERLY ADMITTED ATTORNEYS
Sec.
91.91. Notification of clients in nonlitigation matters.
91.92. Notification of clients in litigation matters.
91.93. Notification of other persons.
91.94. Effective date of suspension, disbarment, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status.
91.95. Additional steps to be taken to disengage from the practice of law.
91.96. Proof of compliance.
91.97. Publication of notice of suspension, disbarment, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status.
91.98. Action to protect clients of formerly admitted attorney.
91.99. Maintenance of records.
91.100. Indicia of licensure.
91.101. Law-related activities of formerly admitted attorneys.§ 91.91. Notification of clients in nonlitigation matters.
(a) General rule. Enforcement Rule 217(a) provides that a formerly admitted attorney shall promptly notify, or cause to be promptly notified, all clients being represented in pending matters, other than litigation or administrative proceedings, of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status and the consequent inability of the formerly admitted attorney to act as an attorney after the effective date of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status and shall advise said clients to seek legal advice elsewhere. Such notices shall be in substantially the language of Form DB-23 (Nonlitigation Notice of Disbarment, Suspension, Temporary Suspension or Transfer to Disability Inactive Status) or Form DB-23(a) (Non-Litigation Notice of Administrative Suspension). The notice required by this subsection (a) may be delivered by the most efficient method possible as long as the chosen method is successful and provides proof of receipt.
Official Note
Notice may be accomplished, for example, by delivery in person with the lawyer securing a signed receipt, electronic mailing with some form of acknowledgement from the client other than a ‘‘read receipt,’’ and mailing by registered or certified mail return receipt requested.
(b) Copies of notices and proofs of receipt. At the time of the filing of the verified statement of compliance required by § 91.96 of this Subchapter E, the formerly admitted attorney shall file copies of the notices required by this section and proofs of receipt with the Board Prothonotary and shall serve a conforming copy on Disciplinary Counsel.
Source The provisions of this § 91.91 amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; amended January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended September 27, 2019, effective 30 days after publication, 49 Pa.B. 5552; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (397884) to (397885).
§ 91.92. Notification of clients in litigation matters.
(a) General rule. Enforcement Rule 217(b) provides that a formerly admitted attorney shall promptly notify, or cause to be promptly notified, all clients who are involved in pending litigation or administrative proceedings, and the attorney or attorneys for each adverse party in such matter or proceeding, of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status and consequent inability of the formerly admitted attorney to act as an attorney after the effective date of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status. Such rule further provides that the notice to be given to the client shall advise the prompt substitution of another attorney or attorneys in place of the formerly admitted attorney; that in the event the client does not obtain substitute counsel before the effective date of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status, it shall be the responsibility of the formerly admitted attorney to move in the court or agency in which the proceeding is pending for leave to withdraw; and that the notice to be given to the attorney or attorneys for an adverse party shall state the place of residence of the client of the formerly admitted attorney. Such notices shall be in substantially the language of Form DB-24 (Litigation Notice of Disbarment, Suspension, Temporary Suspension or Transfer to Disability Inactive Status) or Form DB-24(a) (Litigation Notice of Administrative Suspension). The notice required by this subsection (b) may be delivered by the most efficient method possible as long as the chosen method is successful and provides proof of receipt. See Note after subsection (a) of § 91.91 (relating to notification of clients in nonlitigation matters).
(b) Copies of notices and proofs of receipt. At the time of the filing of the verified statement of compliance required by § 91.96 of this Subchapter E, the formerly admitted attorney shall file copies of the notices required by this section and proofs of receipt with the Board Prothonotary and shall serve a conforming copy on Disciplinary Counsel.
Source The provisions of this § 91.92 amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; amended January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended September 27, 2019, effective 30 days after publication, 49 Pa.B. 5552; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (397885) to (397886).
§ 91.93. Notification of other persons.
(a) General rule. Enforcement Rule 217(c) provides that a formerly admitted attorney shall promptly notify, or cause to be promptly notified, of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status:
(1) all persons or their agents or guardians, including but not limited to wards, heirs and beneficiaries, to whom a fiduciary duty is or may be owed at any time after the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status;
(2) all other persons with whom the formerly admitted attorney may at any time expect to have professional contacts under circumstances where there is a reasonable probability that they may infer that he or she continues as an attorney in good standing; and
(3) any other tribunal, court, agency or jurisdiction in which the attorney is admitted to practice.
(b) Method of delivery. Enforcement Rule 217(c) further provides that the notices required by subsection (a) may be delivered by the most efficient method possible as long as the chosen method is successful and provides proof of receipt. See Note after § 91.91(a) of this Subchapter E.
(c) Copies of notices and proofs of receipt. Enforcement Rule 217(c) further provides that at the time of the filing of the verified statement of compliance required by § 91.96 of this Subchapter E, the formerly admitted attorney shall file copies of the notices required by this section and proofs of receipt with the Board Prothonotary and shall serve a conforming copy on Disciplinary Counsel.
(d) Responsibility to provide notice. Enforcement Rule 217(c) further provides that the responsibility of the formerly admitted attorney to provide the notice required by this section shall continue for as long as the formerly admitted attorney is disbarred, suspended, temporarily suspended, administratively suspended or on disability inactive status.
Source The provisions of this § 91.93 amended July 8, 1983, effective July 9, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 2138; amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; amended January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, with respect to persons who are formerly admitted attorneys on March 2, 2015, and persons becoming formerly admitted attorneys on or after March 2, 2025, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended September 27, 2019, effective 30 days after publication, 49 Pa.B. 5552; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (397886) and (404231).
§ 91.94. Effective date of suspension, disbarment, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status.
(a) Effective date. Enforcement Rule 217(d)(1) provides that orders imposing suspension, disbarment, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status shall be effective 30 days after entry; that the formerly admitted attorney, after entry of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status order, shall not accept any new retainer or engage as attorney for another in any new case or legal matter of any nature; but that, during the period from the entry date of the order to its effective date the formerly admitted attorney may wind up and complete, on behalf of any client, all matters which were pending on the entry date.
(b) Effect of verified statement on waiting period for reinstatement. Enforcement Rule 217(e)(3) provides that after the entry of an order of disbarment or suspension for a period exceeding one year, the waiting period for eligibility to apply for reinstatement to the practice of law shall not begin until the formerly admitted attorney files the verified statement required by subsection (a) of this section; and that if the order of disbarment or suspension contains a provision that makes the discipline retroactive to an earlier date, the waiting period will be deemed to have begun on that earlier date.
Official Note
Subsection (b) of this section and the corresponding provisions in § 89.272(a) and (b) (relating to waiting period) apply only to orders entered on or after February 28, 2015.
Source The provisions of this § 91.94 amended July 8, 1983, effective July 9, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 2138; amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; amended January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (404231).
§ 91.95. Additional steps to be taken to disengage from the practice of law.
(a) Cease and desist from using all forms of communication that convey eligibility to practice. Enforcement Rule 217(d)(2) provides that in addition to the steps that a formerly admitted attorney must promptly take under other provisions of this section to disengage from the practice of law, a formerly admitted attorney shall promptly cease and desist from using all forms of communication that expressly or implicitly convey eligibility to practice law in the state courts of Pennsylvania, including but not limited to professional titles, letterhead, business cards, signage, websites, and references to admission to the Pennsylvania Bar.
(b) Additional steps for certain types of discipline or disability. Enforcement Rule 217(d)(3) provides that in cases of disbarment, suspension for a period exceeding one year, temporary suspension under Enforcement Rule 208(f) or 213(g), or disability inactive status under Enforcement Rule 216 or 301, a formerly admitted attorney shall also promptly:
(1) resign all appointments as personal representative, executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, receiver, trustee, agent under a power of attorney, or other fiduciary position;
(2) close every IOLTA, Trust, client and fiduciary account;
(3) properly disburse or otherwise transfer all client and fiduciary funds in his or her possession, custody or control; and
(4) take all necessary steps to cancel or discontinue the next regular publication of all advertisements and telecommunication listings that expressly or implicitly convey eligibility to practice law in the state courts of Pennsylvania.
Official Note
Paragraph (b) of this section does not preclude a respondent-attorney who voluntarily assumes inactive or retired status, permanently resigns, is placed on administrative suspension, is temporarily suspended under Enforcement Rule 214, or is suspended for one year or less, from completing existing appointments and accepting new appointments of the nature identified in paragraph (b)(1). Nonetheless, in order to comply with § § 91.91 (relating to notification of clients in nonlitigation matters), 91.92 (relating to notification of clients in litigation matters), and 91.93 (relating to notification of other persons) of this Subchapter E, the formerly admitted attorney who desires to complete existing appointments or accept future appointments must give written notice of the formerly admitted attorney’s registration status or change in that status to appointing and supervising judges and courts, wards, heirs, beneficiaries, interested third parties, and other recipients of the formerly admitted attorney’s fiduciary services, as notice of the formerly admitted attorney’s other-than-active status gives all interested parties an opportunity to consider replacing the formerly admitted attorney or enlisting a person other than the formerly admitted attorney to serve as the fiduciary in the first instance. Although the formerly admitted attorney would not be precluded by paragraph (b)(2) of this section from continuing to use a fiduciary account registered with the bank as an IOLTA or Trust Account, subsection (a) of this section and § 91.101(e)(4) (relating to prohibited activities of a formerly admitted attorney) prohibit the formerly admitted attorney from using or continuing to use account checks and deposit slips that contain the word ‘‘IOLTA,’’ ‘‘attorney,’’ ‘‘lawyer,’’ ‘‘esquire,’’ or similar appellation that could convey eligibility to practice in the state courts of Pennsylvania. Notwithstanding the specific prohibitions of § 91.101 (relating to law-related activities of formerly admitted attorneys), the formerly admitted attorney is authorized to perform those services necessary to carry out the appointment with the exception of any service that would constitute the unauthorized practice of law if engaged in by a nonlawyer. In relation to formerly admitted attorneys who are disbarred, suspended for a period exceeding one year, temporarily suspended under Enforcement Rule 208(f) or 213(g), or transferred to disability inactive status, the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section continue throughout the term of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, or disability inactive status, thereby precluding any new appointment or engagement.
(c) Compliance records and submission thereof. Enforcement Rule 217(d)(3) further provides that the formerly admitted attorney shall maintain records to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section and shall provide proof of compliance at the time the formerly admitted attorney files the verified statement required by § 91.96 of this Subchapter E.
Source The provisions of this § 91.95 adopted January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, with respect to persons who are formerly admitted attorneys on March 2, 2015, and persons becoming formerly admitted attorneys on or after March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended February 12, 2021, effective 30 days after publication, 51 Pa.B. 781. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (397887) to (397888).
§ 91.96. Proof of compliance.
(a) General rule. Enforcement Rule 217(e)(1) provides that within ten days after the effective date of the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status order, the formerly admitted attorney shall file with the Board Prothonotary a verified statement (Form DB-25) (Statement of Compliance) and serve a copy on Disciplinary Counsel. In the verified statement, the formerly admitted attorney shall:
(1) aver that the provisions of the order and the Enforcement Rules have been fully complied with;
(2) list all other state, federal and administrative jurisdictions to which the formerly admitted attorney is admitted to practice;
(3) aver that he or she has attached copies of the notices required by subdivisions (a), (b), and (c)(1) and (c)(2) of Enforcement Rule 217 and proofs of receipt, or, in the alternative, aver that he or she has no clients, third persons to whom a fiduciary duty is owed, or persons with whom the formerly admitted attorney has professional contacts, to so notify;
(4) in cases of disbarment or suspension for a period exceeding one year, aver that he or she has attached his or her attorney registration license card or certificate for the current year, certificate of admission, any certificate of good standing issued by the Court Prothonotary, and any other certificate required by subdivision (h) of Enforcement Rule 217 to be surrendered; or, in the alternative, aver that he or she has attached all such documents within his or her possession, or that he or she is not in possession of any of the certificates required to be surrendered;
(5) aver that he or she has complied with the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Enforcement Rule 217, and aver that he or she has, to the extent practicable, attached proof of compliance, including evidence of the destruction, removal, or abandonment of indicia of Pennsylvania practice; or, in the alternative, aver that he or she neither had nor employed any indicia of Pennsylvania practice;
(6) in cases of disbarment, suspension for a period exceeding one year, temporary suspension under Enforcement Rule 208(f) or 213(g), or disability inactive status under Enforcement Rule 216 or 301, aver that he or she has complied with the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Enforcement Rule 217, and aver that he or she has attached proof of compliance, including resignation notices, evidence of the closing of accounts, copies of cancelled checks and other instruments demonstrating the proper distribution of client and fiduciary funds, and requests to cancel advertisements and telecommunication listings; or, in the alternative, aver that he or she has no applicable appointments, accounts, funds, advertisements, or telecommunication listings;
(7) aver that he or she has served a copy of the verified statement and its attachments on Disciplinary Counsel;
(8) set forth the residence or other address where communications to such person may thereafter be directed; and
(9) sign the statement.
Official Note
A respondent-attorney who is placed on temporary suspension is required to comply with subsection (a) and file a verified statement. Upon the entry of a final order of suspension or disbarment, the respondent-attorney must file a supplemental verified statement containing the information and documentation not applicable at the time of the filing of the initial statement, or all of the information and documentation required by subsection (a) if the respondent-attorney has failed to file the initial statement. Although the grant of retroactivity is always discretionary, a respondent-attorney who fails to file a verified statement at the time of temporary suspension should not expect a final order to include a reference to retroactivity.
(b) Required certification. Enforcement Rule 217(e)(1) also provides that the statement shall contain an averment that all statements contained therein are true and correct to the best of the formerly admitted attorney’s knowledge, information and belief, and are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
(c) Cooperation required. Enforcement Rule 217(e)(2) provides that a formerly admitted attorney shall cooperate with Disciplinary Counsel and respond completely to questions by Disciplinary Counsel regarding compliance with the provisions of this section.
(d) Cross reference. See § 95.3 (relating to monitoring of notices to be sent by formerly admitted attorneys).
Source The provisions of this § 91.95 amended July 8, 1983, effective July 9, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 2138; amended September 1, 1989, effective September 2, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 3758; amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; renumbered as § 91.96 and amended January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended September 27, 2019, effective 30 days after publication, 49 Pa.B. 5552; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (404232) and (397889) to (397890).
§ 91.97. Publication of notice of suspension, disbarment, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status.
Enforcement Rule 217(f) provides that the Board shall cause a notice of the suspension, disbarment, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status to be published in the legal journal and a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the formerly admitted attorney practiced. If there is no such legal journal, the notice shall be published in the legal journal of an adjoining county. Upon entry of an order imposing suspension, disbarment, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status, such notice shall be published forthwith and shall be transmitted to such courts as may be appropriate. The cost of publication shall be assessed against the formerly admitted attorney.
Source The provisions of this § 91.96 amended July 8, 1983, effective July 9, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 2138; amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; renumbered as § 91.97 and amended January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (397890).
§ 91.98. Action to protect clients of formerly admitted attorney.
Enforcement Rule 217(g) provides that the Board shall promptly transmit a certified copy of the order of suspension, disbarment, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status to the president judge of the court of common pleas in the judicial district in which the formerly admitted attorney practiced; and that the president judge shall make such further order as may be necessary to fully protect the rights of the clients of the formerly admitted attorney.
Source The provisions of this § 91.97 amended July 8, 1983, effective July 9, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 2138; amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; renumbered as § 91.98 January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (397890) and (400487).
§ 91.99. Maintenance of records.
(a) General rule. Enforcement Rule 217(i) provides that a formerly admitted attorney shall keep and maintain records of the various steps taken by such person under the Enforcement Rules so that, upon any subsequent proceeding instituted by or against such person, proof of compliance with the Enforcement Rules and with the disbarment, suspension, temporary suspension, administrative suspension or transfer to disability inactive status order will be available; and that proof of compliance with the Enforcement Rules shall be a condition precedent to any petition for reinstatement.
(b) Cross reference. See § 95.3 (relating to monitoring of notices to be sent by formerly admitted attorneys).
Source The provisions of this § 91.98 adopted July 8, 1983, effective July 9, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 2138; amended September 1, 1989, effective September 2, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 3758; amended November 15, 1991, effective November 16, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 5325; amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; renumbered as § 91.99 January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (400487).
§ 91.100. Indicia of licensure.
Enforcement Rule 217(h) provides that within ten days after the effective date of an order of disbarment or suspension for a period longer than one year, the formerly admitted attorney shall surrender to the Board the license card or certificate issued by the Attorney Registration Office under § 93.143 (relating to issue of certificate as evidence of compliance) for the current year, along with any certificate of good standing issued under Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rule 201(c) (relating to certification of good standing), certificate of admission issued under Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rule 231(d)(3) (relating to action by Court Prothonotary), certificate of licensure issued under Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rule 341(e)(3) (relating to motion for licensure), Limited In-House Corporate Counsel License issued under Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rule 302 (relating to limited in-house corporate counsel license), limited certificate of admission issued under Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rule 303 (relating to limited admission of military attorneys), limited certificate of admission issued under Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rule 304 (relating to limited admission of attorney spouses of active-duty service members), or limited certificate of admission issued under Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rule 311 (relating to attorney participants in defender or legal services programs). The Board may destroy the annual license card or certificate issued under § 93.143, but shall retain any other documents surrendered under this subdivision and shall return those documents to the formerly admitted attorney in the event that he or she is subsequently reinstated.
Source The provisions of this § 91.99 adopted November 15, 1991, effective November 16, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 5325; amended August 5, 2005, effective August 6, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 4301; amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; renumbered as § 91.100 January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended September 27, 2019, effective 30 days after publication, 49 Pa.B. 5552; amended January 31, 2020, effective 30 days after publication, 50 Pa.B. 647; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (400487) to (400488).
§ 91.101. Law-related activities of formerly admitted attorneys.
(a) General rule. A formerly admitted attorney may not engage in any form of law-related activities in this Commonwealth except in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(b) Supervision. Enforcement Rule 217(j)(1) provides that all law-related activities of the formerly admitted attorney shall be conducted under the supervision of a member in good standing of the Bar of this Commonwealth who shall be responsible for ensuring that the formerly admitted attorney complies with the requirements of this section. If the formerly admitted attorney is engaged by a law firm or other organization providing legal services, whether by employment or other relationship, an attorney of the firm or organization shall be designated by the firm or organization as the supervising attorney for purposes of this subsection.
(c) Permissible activities. Enforcement Rule 217(j)(2) provides that, for purposes of this section, the only law-related activities that may be conducted by a formerly admitted attorney are the following:
(1) legal work of a preparatory nature, such as legal research, assembly of data and other necessary information, and drafting of transactional documents, pleadings, briefs, and other similar documents;
(2) direct communication with the client or third parties to the extent permitted by subsection (d); and
(3) accompanying a member in good standing of the Bar of this Commonwealth to a deposition or other discovery matter or to a meeting regarding a matter that is not currently in litigation, for the limited purpose of providing clerical assistance to the member in good standing who appears as the representative of the client.
(d) Communications with clients. Enforcement Rule 217(j)(3) provides that a formerly admitted attorney may have direct communication with a client or third party regarding a matter being handled by the attorney, organization or firm for which the formerly admitted attorney works only if the communication is limited to ministerial matters such as scheduling, billing, updates, confirmation of receipt or sending of correspondence and messages. The formerly admitted attorney shall clearly indicate in any such communication that he or she is a legal assistant and identify the supervising attorney.
(e) Prohibited activities. Enforcement Rule 217(j)(4) provides that, without limiting the other restrictions in this section, a formerly admitted attorney is specifically prohibited from engaging in any of the following activities:
(1) performing any law-related activity for a law firm, organization or lawyer if the formerly admitted attorney was associated with that law firm, organization or lawyer on or after the date on which the acts which resulted in the disbarment, suspension or temporary suspension occurred, through and including the effective date of disbarment, suspension or temporary suspension;
(2) performing any law-related services from an office that is not staffed by a supervising attorney on a full-time basis;
(3) performing any law-related services for any client who in the past was represented by the formerly admitted attorney;
(4) representing himself or herself as a lawyer or person of similar status;
(5) having any contact with clients either in person, by telephone, or in writing, except as provided in subsection (d);
(6) rendering legal consultation or advice to a client;
(7) appearing on behalf of a client in any hearing or proceeding or before any judicial officer, arbitrator, mediator, court, public agency, referee, magistrate, hearing officer or any other adjudicative person or body;
(8) appearing as a representative of the client at a deposition or other discovery matter;
(9) negotiating or transacting any matter for or on behalf of a client with third parties or having any contact with third parties regarding such a negotiation or transaction; and
(10) receiving, disbursing or otherwise handling client funds.
(f) Notice to Board. Enforcement Rule 217(j)(5) provides that the supervising attorney and the formerly admitted attorney shall file with the Board a notice of engagement, identifying the supervising attorney and certifying that the formerly admitted attorney’s activities will be monitored for compliance with this section. The supervising attorney and the formerly admitted attorney shall file a notice with the Board immediately upon the termination of the engagement between the formerly admitted attorney and the supervising attorney.
(g) Jurisdiction over supervising attorney. Enforcement Rule 217(j)(6) provides that the supervising attorney shall be subject to disciplinary action for any failure by either the formerly admitted attorney or the supervising attorney to comply with the provisions of this section.
Official Note
This section limits and regulates the law-related activities performed by formerly admitted attorneys regardless of whether those formerly admitted attorneys are engaged as employees, independent contractors or in any other capacity. This section requires that a notice be filed with the Board when any law-related activities are performed by a formerly admitted attorney and when the engagement is terminated. This section is addressed only to the special circumstance of formerly admitted attorneys engaging in law-related activities and should not be read more broadly to define the permissible activities that may be conducted by a paralegal, law clerk, investigator, etc. who is not a formerly admitted attorney. This section is also not intended to establish a standard for what constitutes the unauthorized practice of law. Finally, this section is not intended to prohibit a formerly admitted attorney from performing services that are not unique to law offices, such as physical plant or equipment maintenance, courier or delivery services, catering, typing or transcription or other similar general office support activities.
Source The provisions of this § 91.100 adopted July 13, 2001, effective July 14, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 3731; renumbered as § 91.101 January 30, 2015, effective March 2, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 544; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (400488) to (400489) and (376275) to (376276).
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