Pennsylvania Code
Title 204 - JUDICIAL SYSTEM GENERAL PROVISIONS
Part V - PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND CONDUCT
Subpart C - DISCIPLINARY BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Chapter 87 - INVESTIGATIONS AND INFORMAL PROCEEDINGS
Subchapter D - ABATEMENT OF INVESTIGATION
Section 87.72 - Matters involving related pending civil or criminal litigation

(a) General rule. Enforcement Rule 211(a) provides that the processing of complaints involving material allegations which are substantially similar to the material allegations of pending criminal or civil litigation shall not be deferred unless the Board in its discretion, for good cause shown, authorizes such deferment; that in the event a deferment of disciplinary investigation or proceeding is authorized by the Board as the result of pending related litigation, the respondent-attorney shall make all reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt trial and disposition of such pending litigation; and that in the event the respondent-attorney fails to take reasonable steps to assure prompt disposition of the litigation, the investigation and subsequent disciplinary proceedings indicated shall be conducted promptly.

(b) Procedure. An original and three conformed copies of an application for deferment of action under subsection (a) of this section shall be filed with the Board Prothonotary with proof of service on the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel may file and serve a written response thereto within 20 days thereafter.

(c) Effect of acquittal. Enforcement Rule 211(b) provides that the acquittal of the respondent-attorney on criminal charges or a verdict or judgment in favor of the respondent-attorney in a civil litigation involving substantially similar material allegations shall not in and of itself justify abatement of a disciplinary investigation predicated upon the same material allegations.