Committees and Boards

The Board of Bar Examiners ascertains the qualifications of applicants, tests the legal knowledge of bar applicants, administers and proctors the Rhode Island Bar Examination, and prepares and scores the essay portion of the bar examination.

The Committee on Character and Fitness determines the moral fitness of bar applicants.

The Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline provides a forum for complaints against any judge or magistrate.

The Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts was created to enhance public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the Rhode Island Judiciary and to promote a fair and bias-free justice system.

The Disciplinary Board (Board) serves to protect the public and to maintain the integrity of the legal profession. The Board works in conjunction with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to make findings and recommendations about the imposition of attorney discipline based on Disciplinary Counsel’s investigation of attorney misconduct.

The Ethics Advisory Panel (Panel) provides active Rhode Island attorneys, upon written request, with ethics advice on prospective behavior pursuant to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Although Panel opinions are not binding, attorneys who receive and abide by them are fully protected from any subsequent charge of impropriety.

The Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee is charged with investigating all reports of activities which may constitute the unauthorized practice of law.