Last month, the Disciplinary Board hosted its annual Hearing Committee Training. Comprehensive training is integral to Members’ essential role within Pennsylvania’s disciplinary system. Duties of Hearing Committee Members entail reviewing the recommended disposition of complaints as offered by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel; conducting disciplinary and reinstatement hearings, either as a three-member panel or single designated member; and preparing a written report and recommendation to the Board following disciplinary and reinstatement proceedings.
This year, the Board invited all newly-appointed volunteer Hearing Committee Members to the educational conference. Including Board Members, Board staff, Senior Hearing Committee Members, and other experts, presenters and panels explored an assemblage of topics most pertinent to Hearing Committee service.
Once again, the Board was highly honored to host Chief Justice Debra Todd at this year’s conference. Chief Justice Todd welcomed all attendees, reflecting on the Board’s duty to the public and the justice system and emphasizing the significant undertakings of Hearing Committee Members. She praised the rehabilitative work of the Board and stressed the importance of diversity amongst the Hearing Committee Members and Board adjudicators.
In addition to instructional presentations including the practicalities of Hearing Committee duties, writing Committee reports, and new Court Opinions and future precedent, a panel of featured Board Members detailed their tenure on the Board ΜΆ and, in some cases, terms on the Hearing Committee. The panel comprised Board Chair John C. Rafferty, Jr., Vice-Chair Gretchen A. Mundorff, and Members Christopher M. Miller and Hon. Robert L. Repard. Vice-Chair Mundorff highlighted the rehabilitative, rather than punitive, nature of the Board’s mission and work as Member Miller stressed that, ultimately, the Board’s goal is to protect the public.