Communications Committee considers posting pending disciplinary records.

At what point should information about pending disciplinary cases appear on member pages of the Bar's website?

That question will be explored by a special subcommittee.

The Communications Committee decided to create the subcommittee after a lively debate on the issue October 3, the day before the Bar Board of Governors regular meeting. Committee Chair Michelle Suskauer reported on the action during the board meeting. The board recently approved the committee's recommendation to immediately post information when the Supreme Court issues an order in a discipline case. That addressed concerns that the Bar website continued to show a lawyer as a member in good standing during the 30-day period between court action and a suspended or disbarred attorney closing down his or her practice.

But the board hesitated on a related committee recommendation, which was endorsed by the Citizens Forum, that the Bar also post information and a link when a referee has reached a finding of guilt and recommends discipline in a grievance case or the Bar and responding attorney reach a consent agreement.

Suskauer said the committee looked at that issue, adding, "What we have actually is a suggestion to establish a subcommittee and write down what our policy is going forward. ... There is a lot of really strong feeling on protecting the public and...