Survey on Lawyer Discipline Systems 2017

    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.

    2017 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 2017 was sent to 56 lawyer disciplinary agencies. At the request of the State Bar of California, please derive data from these public sources.  

    The 2017 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 2017 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 Ellyn.Rosen@americanbar.org.

    The 2017 Charts on Lawyer Disciplinary Systems (S.O.L.D.)

    Chart I: Part A

    Chart I: Part B

    Lawyer Population and Agency Caseload Volume: Parts A & B

    Chart II

    Diversion

    Chart III: Part A

    Chart III: Part B

    Sanctions Imposed:          Parts A & B

    Chart IV

    Reinstatement / Readmission Statistics

    Chart V

    Caseload Statistics

    Chart VI

    Case Processing Times

    Chart VII

    Budget and Sources of Funding

    Chart VIII

    Annual Registration Dues and Fees in State Disciplinary Systems

    Chart IX: Part A

    Chart IX: Part B

    Staffing of Disciplinary Counsel Offices:           Parts A & B

    Chart X: Part A

    Chart X: Part B

    Chart X: Part C

    Staffing of Adjudicative Offices: Parts A - C



    Committee Members

    Paula J. Frederick, Chair
    Atlanta, Chair

    Hon. Daniel J. Crothers
    Bismarck, ND

    Michael P. Downey
    St. Louis, MO

    Amanda Jones
    Chicago, IL

    Robert E. Lutz, II
    Losa Angeles, CA

    Nancy J. Marshall
    New Orleans, LA

    Dolores Dorsainvil Nicolas
    Washington, DC

    Sharon E. Pandak
    Woodbridge, VA

    Maret Vessella
    Phoenix, AZ

    Special Advisor
    Lea Guitierrez
    Chicago, IL

    Liaison, ABA Board of Governors
    J. Timothy Eaton
    Chicago, IL

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

    Liaison, Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers
    Sari W. Montgomery
    Chicago, IL

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

    Staff

    Ellyn S. Rosen
    Regulation & Global Initiatives Counsel