Attorney Discipline

Contacting the Board Office

If you wish to contact the Office of the Executive Attorney about a case pending before the Board on Professional Responsibility or its Hearing Committees, please email the case manager.

For press inquiries, please email [email protected]

Cases of Public Interest

Click here to Access Cases of Public Interest. This page is intended to provide access to publicly available filings in cases of particular public interest pending before the Board or its Hearing Committees.

Attorney Discipline News

Office of Disciplinary Counsel Operating Status during the Coronavirus Pandemic

UPDATE: JULY 13, 2021

Due to health and safety concerns surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel remains closed to the public until further notice. The majority of our staff continues to work remotely with some modifications to how services are provided.

Staff will continue to respond to inquiries by phone and e-mail.
There may be a short delay in mail delivery to our office, but new mail is being processed and reviewed regularly.
Outgoing mail will be sent by email, when an email address is provided. Outgoing mail will be sent by USPS when an email address is not provided.
Information on How to File a Complaint.

Certificates Concerning Discipline

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel now offers online ordering of Certificates Concerning Discipline. The production of printed certificates remains suspended. The electronic delivery of a certificate will be processed upon receipt of the Certificate Request Form and payment. Most certificates are processed within two (2) business days. We do not offer same-day processing.

If you must pay for a certificate by check or money order, please complete the Certificate Request Form and return it, together with your payment of $25 payable to "DC Bar," to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel at the address below. Please complete the form in its entirety to avoid processing delays. Please allow additional time to process your mail-in request.

Office of Disciplinary Counsel
515 Fifth Street, N.W.
Building A, Room 117
Washington, DC 20001

For questions about certificates, please email [email protected].

How To File A Complaint

View instructions for filing a disciplinary complaint against a lawyer.

Hearing and Oral Argument Schedule

View a list of upcoming events and links to livestreams.

Attorney Discipline Search

Find public disciplinary records, including recommendations and final orders.

Rules of the Board on Professional Responsibility

View the Board’s internal procedural rules.

Forms and Documents

View important information for respondents and counsel.

Approved IOLTA Depositories

View a list of banks eligible to hold client trust accounts.

Opinions and Reports

Recent DCCA Opinions

In re Twomey, 24-BG-0498 (August 29, 2024)
In re Johnson, 23-BG-0587 (August 29, 2024)
In re Gormley, 24-BG-0704 (8/22/2024)
In re Gordon, 24-BG-0652 (8/15/2024)
In re Alexei, 23-BG-0591 (8/1/2024)
In re Maestas, 24-BG-0356 (8/1/2024)
In re Gonzalez, 23-BG-0478 & 24-BG-0301 (7/25/2024)
In re Debold, 24-BG-0353 (6/20/2024)
In re Glenn, 24-BG-0354 (6/20/2024)
In re Krumbein, 24-BG-0357 (6/20/2024)
In re Mahoney, 24-BG-466 (6/13/2024)
In re Young, 24-BG-438 (6/13/2024)
In re Black, 24-BG-0155 (5/16/2024)
In re Doman, 22-BG-578 (5/16/2024)
In re Naveed, 23-BG-1001 (5/9/2024)

Recent Board Reports

In re Stancil, 23-BD-014 (9/17/2024)
In re Owens, 21-BD-058 (8/1/2024)
In re Klayman, 18-BD-070 (7/30/2024)
In re Sibanda, 23-BD-024 (7/30/2024)
In re Kreiss, 23-BD-008 (7/29/2024)

Recent Hearing Committee Reports

In re Feldman, 22-BD-083 (9/23/2024)
In re Johnson, 23-BD-016 (9/16/2024)
In re Brammer, 23-ND-004 (9/6/2024)
In re Armfield, 22-BD-076 (9/6/2004)
In re Clark, 22-BD-039 (8/1/2024)
In re Gormley, 24-ND-001 (7/24/2024)
In re Gordon, 24-ND-003 (7/16/2024)
In re Stancil, 23-BD-014 (7/8/2024)

Frequently Asked Questions for the Public

What is the Office of Disciplinary Counsel?

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) was created by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to investigate and prosecute complaints of ethical misconduct against lawyers licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia who violate the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC).

The Rules describe a lawyer’s obligation to clients, the courts, and the general public in professional and private dealings. The purpose of this process is to protect the public by disciplining lawyers who violate the ethics rules. Our office cannot consider complaints against judges acting in a judicial capacity.

For additional information, see Purpose and Mission.

Can you represent me in court or give me legal advice?

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel cannot represent you, give you any legal advice, or change the outcome of a court decision.

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel cannot refer you to an attorney. You may consult the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center to obtain information about legal representation by calling their Legal Information Help Line at 202-626-3499.

Free Legal Help

Contact the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center if you are an individual living in poverty who is at risk of losing your home, your livelihood, or your family. The Center also helps small businesses and community-based nonprofits needing legal assistance.

I am having problems with my attorney. What should I do?

Try to resolve issues with your attorney by communicating your concerns clearly and asking for a response. Your attorney should clearly explain the fee agreement and scope of representation, keep you aware of developments in your case, and respond to any reasonable requests you may have for information.

If you feel that your problem is the result of poor communication or a misunderstanding between you and the attorney, you should have an open talk with the attorney before you file a complaint.

Can you help me contact my attorney?

The D.C. Bar’s Find a Member feature provides the same publicly available contact information for attorneys that we would be able to share with you. If you are still unable to reach your attorney, you may need to file a complaint with our office.

Is my attorney licensed in the District of Columbia?

The D.C. Bar’s Find a Member feature enables a search of all attorneys licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia. If an attorney is not listed as authorized to practice law and is advising you about D.C. law or representing you in Superior Court, please contact the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Lawyers

How do I file for reinstatement?

If you are not required to prove fitness or satisfy other terms prior to reinstatement (i.e., restitution or some other condition imposed by the Court), please contact the D.C. Bar Membership department. If you were disbarred or suspended with a fitness requirement, you must file a petition for reinstatement and a reinstatement questionnaire (found in the forms and documents section). See Board Rule 9.1.

Can I e-file with the Board Office?

No, we currently do not have an e-filing system. All filings should be made in hard copy, including one with an original signature. Please consult the Board Rules to see additional requirements for each type of filing.

How do I file a complaint against an attorney?

Complaints must be filed, in writing, with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. A complaint form can be found under the How to File a Complaint section.

Where can I find the Board Rules?

The Board Rules can be found under the Board on Professional Responsibility section.

How can I volunteer in the disciplinary system?

The Board is currently recruiting attorneys and members of the public to be considered for appointment to Hearing Committees. For more information, or to apply to be a Hearing Committee Member, please contact the Office of the Executive Attorney.