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Survey on Lawyer Discipline Systems 2020 and 2021

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

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, courts and disciplinary agencies about sanctions imposed, caseload, budget and staffing activity in each jurisdiction.  Information from the Survey has been used by courts and 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 lawyer disciplinary agency contact information. Additional data about lawyers and the legal profession can be viewed at Legal Profession Statistics.

2021 Survey Results

The ABA Standing Committee on Professional Regulation greatly appreciates the participation of U.S. lawyer disciplinary agencies in the annual ABA Survey on Lawyer Discipline Systems (S.O.L.D.). The S.O.L.D. questionnaire for 2021 was sent to 56 lawyer disciplinary agencies. At the request of the State Bar of California, please derive data from these public sources.  

The 2021 Survey results consist of ten charts arranged alphabetically by jurisdiction. Responses correspond to the questions as numbered on the questionnaire appended to the end of this document. Notes (“N”) at the end of each chart include explanatory information provided by some jurisdictions. Where exact figures were not available, estimated figures were provided. The abbreviation "N/A" means that the data is not available or applicable. Medians and averages are shown where potentially meaningful. In most instances, averages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

The information contained in the 2021 S.O.L.D. is not intended to constitute a comprehensive overview of each jurisdiction's lawyer disciplinary system. Where possible, footnotes have been included to address variations in the manner in which jurisdictions function and maintain statistics.

Questions regarding the survey and questionnaire should be addressed via email to Ellyn S. Rosen, Regulation and Global Initiatives Counsel, ABA Center for Professional Responsibility at [email protected].

The 2021 Charts on Lawyer Disciplinary Systems (S.O.L.D.)

Lawyer Population and Agency Caseload Volume: Parts A & B

Diversion

Sanctions Imposed:  Parts A & B

Reinstatement / Readmission Statistics


Caseload Statistics

Case Processing Times

Budget and Sources of Funding

Annual Registration Dues and Fees in State Disciplinary Systems

Staffing of Disciplinary Counsel Offices:   Parts A & B

Staffing of Adjudicative Offices: Parts A - C

2020 Survey Results

The ABA Standing Committee on Professional Regulation greatly appreciates the participation of U.S. lawyer disciplinary agencies in the annual ABA Survey on Lawyer Discipline Systems (S.O.L.D.). The S.O.L.D. questionnaire for 2020 was sent to 56 lawyer disciplinary agencies. At the request of the State Bar of California, please derive data from these public sources.  

The 2020 Survey results consist of ten charts arranged alphabetically by jurisdiction. Responses correspond to the questions as numbered on the questionnaire appended to the end of this document. Notes (“N”) at the end of each chart include explanatory information provided by some jurisdictions. Where exact figures were not available, estimated figures were provided. The abbreviation "N/A" means that the data is not available or applicable. Medians and averages are shown where potentially meaningful. In most instances, averages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

The information contained in the 2020 S.O.L.D. is not intended to constitute a comprehensive overview of each jurisdiction's lawyer disciplinary system. Where possible, footnotes have been included to address variations in the manner in which jurisdictions function and maintain statistics.

Questions regarding the survey and questionnaire should be addressed via email to Ellyn S. Rosen, Regulation and Global Initiatives Counsel, ABA Center for Professional Responsibility at [email protected].

The 2020 Charts on Lawyer Disciplinary Systems (S.O.L.D.)

Lawyer Population and Agency Caseload Volume: Parts A & B

Diversion

Sanctions Imposed:  Parts A & B

Reinstatement / Readmission Statistics


Caseload Statistics

Case Processing Times

Budget and Sources of Funding

Annual Registration Dues and Fees in State Disciplinary Systems

Staffing of Disciplinary Counsel Offices:   Parts A & B

Staffing of Adjudicative Offices: Parts A - C

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

Committee Members

Hon. Dolores Dorsainvil, Chair
Upper Marlboro, MD

Hon. Daniel J. Crothers
Bismarck, ND

Shawn M. Harpen
Las Vegas, NV

Amanda Jones
Chicago, IL

Robert E. Lutz, II
Losa Angeles, CA

Nancy J. Marshall
New Orleans, LA

Sari Montgomery
Chicago, IL

Hon. Michael
OthsBoise, ID

Sharon E. Pandak
Woodbridge, VA

Special Advisor
Lea Guitierrez
Chicago, IL

Liaison, ABA Board of Governors
Charles J. Vigil
Albuquerque, NM

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

Liaison, Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers
Denise M. Quinterri
Chicago, IL

Liaison, National Organization of Bar Counsel
Wendy J. Muchman
Chicago, IL

Staff

Ellyn S. Rosen
Regulation & Global Initiatives Counsel