| Elwood Lui, the special master appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee
the $173-per-lawyer discipline assessment. "Nothing is more essential than to have
access to the bar to instigate a review of any complaints and to get a resolution as soon
as possible based on its merits." Prior to the April shutdown of the complaint
line, it received 140,000 calls a year and was staffed full-time by 18 analysts. Since
then, more than 3,000 written complaints have not been screened, and another 4,400 are
unresolved.
Judy Johnson, the bar's chief trial counsel, said when the analysts are not answering
the phones, they will read and process those complaints. Two more analysts will work
fulltime on reducing the backload.
Johnson pointed out that it will take time to rehire and retrain staff.
"Rebuilding the discipline system is not an overnight process," she said.
"We are working feverishly to bring the system up to speed and ask for patience on
the part of consumers and lawyers." |
