Conviction of a Crime. Upon receipt of reliable information
that a member of the Bar of this Court or any attorney
appearing pro hac vice (1) has been suspended or disbarred
from the practice of law by the order of any United States
Court, or by the Bar, Supreme Court, or other governing
authority of any State, territory or possession, or the District of
Columbia, or (2) has resigned from the Bar of any United States
Court or of any State, territory or possession, or the District of
Columbia while an investigation or proceedings for suspension
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LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
or disbarment was pending, or (3) has been convicted of a
crime, other than in this Court, the elements or underlying facts
of which may affect the attorney’s fitness to practice law, this
Court shall issue an Order to Show Cause why an order of
suspension or disbarment should not be imposed by this Court.
Upon the filing of a judgment or conviction demonstrating that
any attorney admitted to practice before this Court has been
convicted in this Court of any serious crime as herein defined,
the Chief Judge or his or her designee shall enter an order
immediately suspending that attorney, whether the conviction
resulted from a plea of guilty, nolo contendere, verdict after
trial, or otherwise, and regardless of the pendency of any
appeal. The suspension so ordered shall remain in effect until
final disposition of the disciplinary proceedings to be
commenced upon such conviction. A copy of such order shall
be immediately served upon the attorney. Upon good cause
shown, the Chief Judge or his or her designee may set aside
such order when it appears in the interest of justice to do so.
The term “serious crime” shall include any felony and any
lesser crime a necessary element of which, as determined by the
statutory or common law definition of such crime in the
jurisdiction in which it was entered, involves false swearing,
misrepresentation, fraud, deceit, bribery, extortion,
misappropriation, theft, or the use of dishonesty, or an attempt,
conspiracy, or solicitation of another to commit a “serious
crime.”
If the attorney files a response stating that imposition of an
order of suspension or disbarment from this Court is not
contested, or if the attorney does not respond to the Order to
Show Cause within the time specified, then the Court shall
issue an order of suspension or disbarment. The order shall be
filed by the Chief Judge or his or her designee.
