Wash. R. ELC. ELC 3.6

As amended throough October 10, 2024
Rule ELC 3.6 - Maintenance of Records
(a) Permanent Records. In any matter in which a disciplinary sanction or admonition has been imposed or the lawyer has resigned in lieu of discipline under rule 9.3, the bar file and transcripts of the proceeding are permanent records. Related file materials, including investigative files, may be maintained in disciplinary counsel's discretion. Exhibits may be returned to the party supplying them, but copies should be retained where possible.
(b) Destruction of Grievance and Investigation Files. In any matter in which a grievance or investigation has been dismissed without the imposition of a disciplinary sanction or admonition, whether following a hearing or otherwise, file materials relating to the matter may be destroyed three years after the dismissal first occurred, and must be destroyed at that time on the respondent lawyer's request unless the files are being used in an ongoing investigation or unless other good cause exists for retention. However, file materials on a matter dismissed after a diversion must be retained at least five years after the dismissal.
(c) Retention of Docket. If a file on a matter has been destroyed under section (b), the Association may retain a docket record of the matter for statistical purposes only. That docket record must not include the name or other identification of the respondent.
(d) Destruction of Random Examination Files. In any random examination matter concluded under rule 15.1 without a disciplinary grievance being ordered, the file materials relating to the matter may be destroyed three years after the matter was concluded, and must be destroyed at that time on the respondent lawyer's request unless the files are being used in an ongoing investigation or unless other good cause exists for retention. In any random examination matter that a review committee directs be made the subject of a disciplinary grievance, the materials related to the random examination will be made part of the disciplinary grievance. A docket, limited to the name of the lawyer and any law firm examined or reexamined under rule 15.1, together with the date the examination or reexamination was concluded, will be maintained for a period of seven years for the purpose of determining prior examinations under rule 15.1(b).
(e) Review. If disciplinary counsel opposes a request by a respondent for destruction of files under this rule, the Board rules on that request.
(f) Deceased Lawyers. Records and files relating to a deceased lawyer, including permanent records, may be destroyed at any time in disciplinary counsel's discretion.

Wash. R. ELC. ELC 3.6

Adopted effective 10/1/2002; Amended effective 1/1/2014; 12/8/2015.