For the Public
General Information
The Rules governing the Missouri lawyer disciplinary process may be found in Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5. Complaints against lawyers are made to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel (OCDC). Upon investigation, if there is finding of probable cause by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel or a regional disciplinary committee that the Respondent lawyer is guilty of professional misconduct, an Information may be filed by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel or a regional disciplinary committee, as Informant, pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.12 with the Chair of the Advisory Committee. The Legal Ethics Counsel acts as clerk on behalf of the Chair of the Advisory Committee pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.1255 and maintains the record of each case until such time as it is transferred to the Chief Disciplinary Counsel and the Court. Case records become public pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.31(b)(1) once the Respondent lawyer files an Answer or other responsive pleading pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.13.
Missouri Supreme Court Rules 5.04 and 5.13 – 5.16 provide for disciplinary hearing panel proceedings before cases are submitted to the Supreme Court of Missouri. All disciplinary hearing panel cases are filed with the Supreme Court of Missouri unless they are dismissed at the disciplinary hearing panel level or if the disciplinary hearing panel administers a written admonition that is accepted by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel and the Respondent. Only the Supreme Court of Missouri has the authority to impose discipline.
The Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel publishes a flow chart of the possible process from the intake of a complaint all the way through the Supreme Court of Missouri.
Hearings Before A Disciplinary Hearing Panel
Disciplinary hearings are open to the public in accordance with Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.31 and the accompanying Advisory Committee Regulation Re Rule 5.31
Calendar of Scheduled Hearings Before A Disciplinary Hearing Panel
Disciplinary hearings are scheduled by the presiding officer of the hearing panel pursuant to Rule 5.15. To view a calendar of scheduled disciplinary hearings, Click Here (Updated March 27, 2024).
Cases Pending Before A Disciplinary Hearing Panel
To view a list of pending cases, Click Here (Updated March 27, 2024).
Cases will stay on this list while pending before a disciplinary hearing panel. Cases pending before the Supreme Court of Missouri are available on Case.net.
Request for Records for Cases Before A Disciplinary Hearing Panel
Pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.31, all requests for copies of or access to records must be made in writing to this office as required by Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.1255. To request records regarding cases, please send a fax to (573) 635-8806, mail your request to 3335 American Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65109, or fill out the online request form. If not too voluminous, records will be e-mailed at no charge. There will be a reasonable charge for providing records in paper format, including by fax.
Media Coverage Before A Disciplinary Hearing Panel
Media representatives who wish to provide media coverage of a scheduled disciplinary hearing and use audio, video, electronic recording, photography or other such devices are governed by Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.31 and the accompanying Advisory Committee Regulation Re Rule 5.31, and should review these provisions in advance of submitting a request for media coverage. A hearing must be scheduled before any requests can be accepted, so please review the section above “Calendar of Scheduled Hearings Before A Disciplinary Hearing Panel” to determine when a matter is scheduled prior to submitting a request.
Members of the media who would like to bring such equipment to a scheduled disciplinary hearing must make a request in advance, in writing, to the Legal Ethics Counsel in accordance with Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.31 and the accompanying Advisory Committee Regulation Re Rule 5.31. Any media making a request for media coverage of a scheduled disciplinary hearing proceeding shall include the name of the person seeking such coverage, the affiliated entity, if any, and the media equipment to be used as required by the Advisory Committee Regulation Re Rule 5.31(e)(3). Subject to the presiding officer extending or reducing notice times, requests for media coverage shall be made as soon as practicable after the disciplinary hearing is scheduled, but at least five (5) business days in advance of the hearing. The presiding officer must expressly authorize media coverage pursuant to the Advisory Committee Regulation Re Rule 5.31(d), and all coverage must be in accordance with Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.31 and the accompanying Advisory Committee Regulation Re Rule 5.31. To request media coverage of a scheduled hearing, please send a fax to (573) 635-8806, mail your request to 3335 American Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65109, or fill out the online request form.