Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Each year, the Disciplinary Board's communications team publishes a recap of cases of note decided during the year. Read the full article here: bit.ly/3Opf8Jh #AttorneyEthics #AttorneyDiscipline #LawPractice

Cumberland County Attorney John M. Kerr Disbarred

Cumberland County Attorney John M. Kerr Disbarred

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers is looking to diversify its volunteer team with volunteers who are 2L and 3L law students in PA as well as recent graduates. Email carley@lclpa.org or call 1-800-335-2572 for more information.

The Disciplinary Board's February 2026 newsletter features remembering Justice Sandra Schultz Newman, new board appointments, and top cases of 2025: bit.ly/4kKvLLj

Subscribe today: bit.ly/dboardnews #AttorneyEthics #LawPractice #LawyerWellBeing

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 9:30 AM: Disciplinary Hearing
Jeffrey Larkin Wertz, 79 DB 2025
View via YouTube livestream: youtube.com/live/4LiWZEEXB5A

Monday, February 23, 2026 at 9:30 AM: Disciplinary Hearing
Jeffrey Larkin Wertz, 79 DB 2025
View via YouTube livestream: youtube.com/live/UMqn0ge05Pg

Each year, the Disciplinary Board's communications team publishes a recap of cases of note decided during the year. Read the full article looking back on top cases of 2025 here: bit.ly/3Opf8Jh #AttorneyEthics #AttorneyDiscipline #LawPractice

Attorney Jon Mitchell DeMasi Suspended

Attorney Jon Mitchell DeMasi Suspended

Delaware County Attorney Cheryl J. Sturm Transferred to Disability Inactive Status

Delaware County Attorney Cheryl J. Sturm Transferred to Disability Inactive Status

Bedford County Attorney Renee Lynn Piper Disbarred on Consent

Bedford County Attorney Renee Lynn Piper Disbarred on Consent

Attorney John McDanel Disbarred on Consent

Columbia County Attorney John McDanel Disbarred on Consent

Quarterly, the Disciplinary Board publishes an up-to-date list of financial institutions approved by the Supreme Court for the maintenance of fiduciary accounts of attorneys under the terms of PA.R.D.E. 221. Read the full list and article here: bit.ly/406G03r

The Disciplinary Board has released the February 2026 edition of its monthly newsletter. This month's newsletter features remembering Justice Sandra Schultz Newman, new board appointments, and top cases of 2025: bit.ly/4kKvLLj

#AttorneyEthics #LawPractice #LawyerWellBeing

There are varying processes for attorneys seeking reinstatement from discipline and reinstatement from inactive status, retired status, or administrative suspension. Learn more about reinstatement procedures on our website: bit.ly/2Uv5sBb

All Disciplinary Board offices will be closed Monday, February 16th in observance of Presidents' Day.

Frustrated judge tosses case with fake AI citations, references to Ray Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451' References to author Ray Bradbury’s 1953 dystopian book Fahrenheit 451, fake citations and “out-of-left-field” references to ancient libraries has prompted a New York federal judge to terminate a case because of a lawyer’s repeated misuse of artificial intelligence.

A New York federal judge recently tossed a case with fake #AI citations, references to Ray Bradbury's novel Fahrenheit 451, and “out-of-left-field” references to ancient libraries. Read the full ABA Journal article here: bit.ly/4rFO8n5 #LegalTechnology #LegalTech #LawPractice #AttorneyEthics

How can mindfulness enhance law practice? Anyone can take easy and simple steps toward protecting his or her own mental health and well-being. Read the full article here: bit.ly/3Fpqqpq #MentalHealth #LawyerWellBeing #AttorneyEthics

Delaware County Attorney John Harper Estey Reinstated from Disbarment on Consent

Delaware County Attorney John Harper Estey Reinstated from Disbarment on Consent

Note that this opinion is advisory only. It is not binding on the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania or any other Court. #AttorneyEthics #LawPractice

ABA Formal Opinion 519 Re: Disclosure of information in a motion to withdraw from a representation CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2025 — The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released a formal opinion that provides guidance for disclosure and confidentiality ru...

The ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility recently released a formal opinion with guidance for disclosure and confidentiality rules when a lawyer moves to withdraw from a representation. Read the full ABA article here: bit.ly/3ZnW1S2

"Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd honored the life and legacy of retired Justice Sandra Schultz Newman following her passing earlier this week." Read the full #PACourts press release here: bit.ly/3NYq9B1

Allegheny County Attorney Stanton D. Levenson Transferred to Disability Inactive Status

Allegheny County Attorney Stanton D. Levenson Transferred to Disability Inactive Status

Philadelphia Attorney David Ryan Nussey Suspended

Philadelphia Attorney David Ryan Nussey Suspended

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has appointed Shohin H. Vance, Esq. as Disciplinary Board Chair and Laura E. Ellsworth, Esq. as Vice-Chair, effective April 1, 2026. Read the full article here: bit.ly/3OkRCwL #PACourts #AttorneyEthics

Who has Pennsylvania Attorney ID #1? That honor belongs to George Boyer Vashon (1824-1878), formerly of Pittsburgh. Read the full 2017 article here: bit.ly/3QeCi2A #BlackHistoryMonth #PACourts

Illustration by Tim O'Brien via Oberlin College

In 2005, the PA Supreme Court amended Rule 215 to allow for discipline by Joint Petition in Support of Discipline on Consent. Joint Petitions now form a significant portion of the disciplinary actions taken by the Board. Read the full article here: bit.ly/3u6FMZI

Chester County Attorney Michael J. Sangemino Disbarred on Consent

Chester County Attorney Michael J. Sangemino Disbarred on Consent

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 9:30 AM: Disciplinary Hearing
Dustin William Cole, 10 DB 2023
View via YouTube livestream: youtube.com/live/v4YDRHs9RDs

Conservator Appointed for Luzerne County Attorney Eric William Wassel, Deceased

Conservator Appointed for Luzerne County Attorney Eric William Wassel, Deceased

First posted early this month, applications for open positions on the Disciplinary Board, Board of Law Examiners, Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee, and PA Lawyers Fund for Client are due Saturday, January 31, 2026. Learn more here: bit.ly/3Z35LAN #PACourts