Survey on Lawyer Discipline Systems 2010

The American Bar Association’s Center for Professional Responsibility is the only organization that collects, analyzes and compiles statistics about lawyer regulatory systems on a national basis.  This data, which is published as the ABA Survey on Lawyer Disciplinary Systems (S.O.L.D.), serves to educate the public, the profession, the news media and disciplinary agencies about enforcement, caseload and budgetary activity in each jurisdiction.  Information from the Survey has been used by disciplinary agencies to effect changes in caseload management, staffing and funding of their lawyer disciplinary systems.  As a result, it is essential that the Center maintain accurate data with respect to each jurisdiction.

If you have any questions regarding a particular jurisdiction's responses to the Survey, please contact the chief disciplinary counsel for that agency. Click here for contact information for lawyer disciplinary agencies. Numerous resources for research and statistics about lawyers and the legal profession are readily available online at Legal Profession Statistics.

Historical ABA Surveys  on Lawyer Discipline Systems (S.O.L.D.)

2010 S.O.L.D. Survey Results

The ABA Survey on Lawyer Discipline Systems questionnaire for 2010 was sent to 56 lawyer disciplinary agencies. Fifty–two agencies responded to the questionnaire. Kansas, Nevada, New York 1^st Department and New York 3^rd Department did not respond to the survey.  Also, Michigan’s Attorney Grievance Commission was unable to respond due to technological issues. Medians and averages are shown where potentially meaningful. In most instances, averages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

The 2010 Survey consists of nine charts arranged alphabetically by jurisdiction, with explanatory footnotes. Responses correspond to the questions as numbered on the questionnaire appended to the end of the document. These charts were compiled from statistics reported to the American Bar Association by the jurisdictions. Where exact figures were not available, estimated figures were provided and noted with an asterisk. The abbreviation "N/A" means that the data was not available or applicable.

The information contained in the 2010 Survey on Lawyer Discipline Systems is not intended to constitute a comprehensive overview of each jurisdiction's lawyer discipline system. Where possible, footnotes have been included to address variations in the manner in which jurisdictions function and maintain statistics.

Questions regarding the Survey should be addressed to Ellyn S. Rosen, Regulation Counsel, ABA Center for Professional Responsibility via email [email protected].

Click here to download the complete survey

American Bar Association Standing Committee on Professional Discipline

Myles V. Lynk
CHAIR
Tempe, AZ

David S. Baker
Atlanta, GA

Joseph B. Bluemel
Kemmerer, WY

Linda A. Gosnell
Lexington, KY

James A. Kawachika
Honolulu, HI

Amy Lin Meyersonl
Weston, CT

Cleaveland D. Miller
Baltimore, MD

James S. Hill
Liaison, ABA Board of Governors
Bismarck, ND

Betty Smith Adams 
Liaison, ABA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm
Glenelg, MD

Kim D. Ringler
Liaison, Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers
Hackensack, NJ

Sara Rittman
Liaison, National Organization of Bar Counsel
Jefferson City, MO

 American Bar Association Center for Professional Responsibility

Jeanne P. Gray
Associate Executive Director

Ellyn S. Rosen
Regulation Counsel

Theresa M. Gronkiewicz
Deputy Regulation Counsel

Kimley Grant
Paralegal

The 2010 Charts on Lawyer Disciplinary Systems (S.O.L.D.)