Members
On August 16, 2017, the Supreme Court of Alabama amended Rule 33(a) of the Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure to allow for on-line publication of the transfer of a lawyer to disability inactive status, said on-line publication to be effective January 1, 2018. (copy attached as Exhibit 1)
The Task Force shall meet and formulate a recommendation (a) whether or not it is in the best interests of the public as well as of Alabama lawyers on disability inactive status for this fact to be made public or (b) whether it is the better view to keep that this information be kept confidential. The Task Force shall answer whether the public needs this type of information about those lawyers placed on disability inactive status in order to serve the public good.
In reaching a recommendation, the Task Force shall study and consider Rule 27, Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement which sets out the ways in which attorneys can be transferred to disability inactive status. The Task Force shall specifically consider the pros and cons of the effect of amended Rule 33(a) upon those attorneys placed on disability inactive status, and whether existing guidelines under Rule 26 (e) of the Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure are sufficient.
The Task Force shall submit a comprehensive written report to the Executive Committee of the Alabama State Bar no later than October 31, 2017.
The staff liaisons shall assist the Task Force in carrying out this charge.
EXHIBIT 1