Whenever counsel is to be appointed by these rules to investigate allegations of
misconduct or to prosecute disciplinary proceedings or in conjunction with a
reinstatement petition, the Court may appoint as counsel the disciplinary agency of the
Supreme Court of North Carolina or any other disciplinary agency having jurisdiction.
Alternatively, the Court may appoint as counsel one or more members of the Bar,
provided, however, that the respondent-attorney may move to disqualify an attorney so
appointed who is or who has been engaged as an adversary of the respondent-attorney in
any manner. Counsel, once appointed, may not resign unless permission to do so is given
by the Court. Nothing in this rule limits the Court's authority to refer any matter to the
appropriate state bar for investigation, prosecution of disciplinary proceedings, or
reinstatement.
