.0204 Good Standing Definition and Certificates

(a) Definition

A lawyer who is an active member of the North Carolina State Bar and who is not subject to a pending administrative or disciplinary suspension or disbarment order or an order of suspension that has been stayed is in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar. An administrative or disciplinary suspension or disbarment order is “pending” if the order has been announced in open court by a state court of competent jurisdiction or by the Disciplinary Hearing Commission, or if the order has been entered by a state court of competent jurisdiction, by the Council or by the Disciplinary Hearing Commission but has not taken effect. “Good standing” makes no reference to delinquent membership obligations, prior discipline, or any disciplinary charges or grievances that may be pending.

(b) Certificate of Good Standing for Active Member

Upon application and payment of the prescribed fee, the Secretary of the North Carolina State Bar shall issue a certificate of good standing to any active member of the State Bar who is in good standing and who is current on all payments owed to the North Carolina State Bar. A certificate of good standing will not be issued unless the member pays any delinquency shown on the financial records of the North Carolina State Bar including outstanding judicial district bar dues. If the member contends that there is good cause for non-payment of some or all of the amount owed, the member may subsequently demonstrate good cause to the Administrative Committee pursuant to the procedure set forth in Rule .0903(e)(1) of subchapter 1D of these rules. If the member shows good cause, the contested amount shall be refunded to the member.

(c) Certificate of Good Standing for Inactive Member

Upon application, the Secretary of the North Carolina State Bar shall issue a certificate of good standing to any inactive member of the State Bar who was in good standing at the time that the member was granted inactive status and who is not subject to any disciplinary order or pending disciplinary order. The certificate shall state that the member is inactive and is ineligible to practice law in North Carolina.

History Note: Statutory Authority G.S. 84-23

Adopted by the Supreme Court March 8, 2012