I filed my detailed complaint in early February. Despite the website’s assurances that I would receive an immediate acknowledgement, I did not until I called two months later to complain. I was told that part of the process may have “fallen though the cracks.” I received the promised acknowledgment in a couple weeks: it was a form letter, one that assumed I was a client, which meant that no one had read my 20 page document.

On June 18th, I received notice from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel that an investigation had been opened. I was told that if I requested it, I would be sent a “secure link” where I could file supporting documents, and that July 30 was the deadline for sending them. I requested the link. It was secure all right: it didn’t work. It took me over an hour to reach someone who would acknowledge this, and agree to send a functioning “secure link.”

Meanwhile, I have been furiously trying to assemble the package of documents. But two days ago I received an official letter from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel that read in part…

“We reviewed the disciplinary complaint that you filed against [REDACTED] … You filed your complaint with our office on February 11, 2026. Thank you for your patience, as we process complaints in the order in which they are received…We sent you a letter on April 17, 2026, acknowledging receipt of your complaint. On June 18, 2026, we sent you a letter via email requesting additional information and documentation….We have not received additional information or documentation from you…At this time, we do not have sufficient information and documentation to provide a foundation for your complaint. We therefore will not docket this matter for further investigation, and our file is closed. Pursuant to Board Rule 2.4, Disciplinary Counsel’s decision not to docket a complaint is not subject to review.”

The letter was sent to me on July 28. The letter was dated July 27. The date on that June 18th letter by which I was told my supporting documents must be submitted was July 30, today. But my complaint was “undocketed” because I did not meet a deadline that hadn’t arrived yet.

I have called the Office of Disciplinary Counsel four times to get some explanation for my treatment and of how this could have occurred. Nobody could (or would) speak with me. I was so furious that I could barely function for the rest of the evening. I am not much calmer today.

The D.C. Bar is supposed to be a model for the rest of the country. The frightening thing: it probably is.