Lawyer discipline.

From my 39 years practicing matrimonial law, I find that many grievances are filed when one is angry. Many times they are filed over a fee issue that could easily be resolved in negotiations. After all, in all cases involving money those matters are usually resolved in mediation; just a few go to trial. Many grievances are filed on the "spur of the moment" because of something that just may have happened in court, in the case, or in the complainant's life.

Our present procedure hurts us and the public. It does not give the complainant and the lawyer an opportunity to vent and work out their own solution. Most people feel comfortable when they are a part of the process. The present grievance procedure excludes the lawyer and the complainant from the real decision-making process. We have to come up with a better method which would help all of us. The present method hurts the public and the Bar because we invite the public and the Bar to participate in a confrontational and adversarial procedure.

My suggestion to change the procedure is as follows:

* The complainant can meet with the Bar, fill out the form, and have it filed.

* The lawyer shall have 15 days to respond.

* The lawyer and the complainant and a person from the Bar will then participate in a mediation meeting so that both the lawyer and complainant will have the opportunity to vent their concerns to someone in an official capacity. The Bar official would be trained...