Section 322. Duties of conservator

(a) The conservator shall take immediate possession of all files of the absent attorney. If such possession cannot be obtained peaceably, the conservator shall apply to the appointing court for issuance of a warrant authorizing seizure of the files. Probable cause for issuance of such a warrant shall be an affidavit executed by the conservator reciting the existence of the conservatorship and the fact that the persons in control of the premises where the files are or may be located will not consent to a search for them or their removal or other facts showing that the files cannot be obtained without the use of the process of the court.

(b) The conservator shall make a written inventory of all files taken into his or her possession.

(c)(1) The conservator shall make a reasonable effort to identify all clients of the absent attorney whose files were opened within five (5) years of the appointment of the conservator, regardless of whether the case is active or not, and a reasonable effort to identify all clients whose cases are active, regardless of the age of the file. The conservator shall send all such clients, and former clients, written notice of the appointment of a conservator, the grounds which required such appointment, and the possible need of the clients to obtain substitute counsel. All such notices shall include the name, address and telephone number of any lawyer referral service or similar agency available to assist in the location of substitute counsel. The conservator shall, if necessary, send a second written notice to all clients of the absent attorney whose files appear to be active.

(2) All clients whose files are identified by the conservator as both inactive and older than five (5) years shall be given notice by publication of the appointment of a conservator, the grounds which required such appointment, and the possible need of the clients to obtain substitute counsel. All such notices shall include the name, address and telephone number of any lawyer referral service or similar agency available to assist in the location of substitute counsel. The specific method of publication shall be approved by the appointing court, as to both the method, and duration, of publication. The conservator shall deliver proofs of publication to the appointing court at the time of filing the application for discharge.

(3) A file may be returned to a client upon the execution of a written receipt, or released to substitute counsel upon the request of the client and execution of a written receipt by such counsel. The conservator shall deliver all such receipts to the appointing court at the time of filing the application for discharge. On approval by the appointing court of the application for discharge, all files remaining in the possession of the conservator shall be destroyed by the conservator in a secure manner which protects the confidentiality of the files.

(d) Neither the conservator nor any partner, associate or other lawyer practicing in association with the conservator shall:

(1) Make any recommendation of counsel to any client identified as a result of the conservatorship in connection with any matter identified during the conservatorship.

(2) Represent such a client in connection with:

(i) any matter identified during the conservatorship; or

(ii) any other matter during or for a period of three years after the conclusion of the conservatorship.

(e) The conservator shall file a written report with the appointing court and the Board no later than 30 days after the date of appointment covering the matters specified in Subdivisions (a) through (c) of this rule. If those duties have not been accomplished, then the conservator shall state what progress has been made in that regard. Thereafter, the conservator shall file a similar written report every 60 days until discharge.

(f) In the case of a deceased attorney, the conservator shall notify the executor of the estate of the Disciplinary Board’s need to be reimbursed by the estate for the costs and expenses incurred in accordance with Rule 328(b) (relating to compensation and expenses of conservator).

The provisions of this Rule 322 amended April 1, 1983, effective April 2, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1179; amended March 26, 2009, effective upon publication, 39 Pa.B. 1846. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (280364) to (280365).