Beth DeMerchant and Darren Sukonick spent much of March 18 watching the clock.
As the day wound down, their nine-year nightmare ticked closer to an end. Ms. DeMerchant, once one of the most powerful corporate lawyers in the country, and Mr. Sukonick, a younger lawyer who had been on track to emerge as one of the stars of his generation, were waiting to learn if they were finally free of professional misconduct allegations.