Rule 18.  Formal hearing.

1. When the answer has been filed, a formal hearing shall be scheduled within 60 days unless waived by both the commission and the respondent. The respondent and all counsel must be notified of the time and place of the hearing and must first be consulted concerning the scheduling thereof to accommodate, where possible, the schedules of the respondent and counsel and those of their witnesses.

2. If the respondent should fail to appear at the hearing, the respondent shall be deemed to have admitted the factual allegations contained in the formal complaint and shall be deemed to have conceded the merits of the complaint. Absent good cause, the commission shall not continue or delay proceedings because of the respondent's failure to appear.