Section 6 - District Committees

As amended through November 4, 2024

6.1. The Court shall appoint one district committee within each disciplinary district. Each district committee shall consist of not fewer than five members of the bar of this state who maintain an office for the practice of law within that district or, if not actively engaged in the practice of law, reside within that district. Members of district committees may be recommended by the Board, or by the president or board of directors of any local bar associations in each district.

6.2. Terms of members of each district committee shall be for three years, and such terms shall be staggered so that one third of the members rotate off the committee each year; provided that shorter terms may be designated where necessary to observe the above rotation practice. A member may serve a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms. Members whose terms have expired shall continue to serve with respect to any formal hearing commenced prior to the expiration of their terms until the conclusion of such hearing, regardless of whether their successors have been appointed. A member who has served the maximum term may be reappointed after the expiration of one year.

6.3. A member of the district committee acting as the reviewing member shall approve or modify recommendations by Disciplinary Counsel for dismissals and private informal admonitions. In no event may a member of the district committee acting as the reviewing member impose a sanction greater than private informal admonition. Nor may a district committee member acting as the reviewing member offer diversion except as provided in Section 13.4.

6.4. Formal hearings upon charges of misconduct shall be conducted by a hearing panel consisting of three district committee members selected by the Chair of the Board, or in the absence of the Chair by the Vice-Chair of the Board, pursuant to Section 15.2. The hearing panel shall submit its findings and judgment to the Board. Each hearing panel shall elect its own Chair. The hearing panel shall act only with the concurrence of a majority of its members.

6.5. A district committee member shall not take part in any matter in which a judge, similarly situated, would have to recuse himself or herself in accordance with Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 10. However, the procedures set out in Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 10B are not applicable to motions to disqualify or for recusal in matters under this Rule.