Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 91.178 - Availability of required records and requirement to produce(a)In general. Enforcement Rule 221(g) provides that the records required to be maintained by Pa.R.P.C. 1.15 shall be readily accessible to the lawyer and available for production to the Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in a timely manner upon request or demand by either agency made pursuant to the Enforcement Rules, these Rules, the Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security Board Rules and Regulations, agency practice, or subpoena.(b)Request for production by letter. Enforcement Rule 221(g)(1) provides that upon a request by Disciplinary Counsel under subdivision (g) of that Enforcement Rule, which request may take the form of a letter to the respondent-attorney briefly stating the basis for the request and identifying the type and scope of the records sought to be produced, a respondent-attorney must produce the records within ten business days after personal service of the letter on the respondent-attorney or after the delivery of a copy of the letter to an employee, agent or other responsible person at the office of the respondent-attorney as determined by the address furnished by the respondent-attorney in the last registration form filed by the respondent-attorney pursuant to Enforcement Rule 219(c) (relating to annual registration of attorneys), but if the latter method of service is unavailable, within ten business days after the date of mailing a copy of the letter to the last registered address or addresses set forth on the form.(c)Request for production pursuant to Board Rule. Enforcement Rule 221(g)(2) provides in part that when Disciplinary Counsel's request or demand for Pa.R.P.C. 1.15 records is made under an applicable provision of these Rules, the respondent-attorney must produce the records and must do so within the time frame established by these Rules. See87.7(e) (relating to production of Pa.R.P.C. 1.15 records upon Disciplinary Counsel's request in a Form DB-7 (Request for Statement of Respondent's Position) or Form DB-7A (Supplemental Request for Statement of Respondent's Position)).(d)Request for production by subpoena. Enforcement Rule 221(g)(2) provides in part that when Disciplinary Counsel's request or demand for Pa.R.P.C. 1.15 records is made by subpoena under Enforcement Rule 213(a), the respondent-attorney must produce the records and must do so within the time frame established by Enforcement Rule 213 and these Rules. See Enforcement Rule 213(b) and 91.2(b) (both of which relate to procedure for issuance of subpoenas).The provisions of this §91.178 adopted January 30, 2015, effective 3/2/2015, 45 Pa.B. 544.Amended by Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol 53, No. 50. December 16, 2023, effective 12/16/2023