From MS Bar General Counsel Adam Kilgore
The attorney disciplinary process is regulated by the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi State Bar, as set forth by the Supreme Court of Mississippi. The Mississippi Bar acts as a designated disciplinary agent of the Supreme Court of Mississippi in accordance with the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi State Bar. The Mississippi Bar takes very seriously its role as a designated disciplinary agency of the Supreme Court of Mississippi.
Rule 15, Mississippi Rules of Discipline, provides that Bar disciplinary matters are to be held confidential by all of the Supreme Court’s designated disciplinary agencies, including the Board of Bar Commissioners, the Office of General Counsel, the Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility, and the Executive Director of the Bar. The period of confidentiality ends only upon one of the following events: (1) the attorney makes a public statement or disclosure about a proceeding under the Rules of Discipline, or (2) a Formal Complaint under the Rules of Discipline is filed with the Clerk of Supreme Court of Mississippi.
Mr. Peters’ Notice of Irrevocable Resignation has been filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Mississippi along with a Petition by The Mississippi Bar to Accept Mr. Peters’ Irrevocable Resignation in Accordance with Rule 10, Mississippi Rules of Discipline. Rule 10.5, Mississippi Rules of Discipline, provides that an irrevocable resignation and the order accepting the resignation is tantamount to proof of guilt on the matters alleged.
Rule 15, Mississippi Rules of Discipline, requires that the enumerated disciplinary agencies of the Supreme Court of Mississippi maintain the confidentiality of the details of the underlying disciplinary matter which gave rise to Mr. Peters’ resignation. The confidentiality provisions of Rule 15, Mississippi Rules of Discipline, are designed to protect the integrity of the investigatory process surrounding Bar discipline matters. Therefore, the Bar cannot provide any additional information regarding this matter beyond confirming that Mr. Peters’ Notice of Irrevocable Resignation and the Bar’s Petition to Accept the resignation have been filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Mississippi.
Adam Kilgore
General Counsel
The Mississippi Bar
