State Bar Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Adjudication Procedures for Provisionally Licensed Lawyers

By James Lanham At its February 25, 2022 meeting, the Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California voted to make available for a 45-day public comment period proposed new rules 5.480–5.486 of the Rules of Procedure of the Continue reading

In Response to Legislative Concerns, the State Bar of California Board of Trustees Approves Recommendations to Clarify the Scope and Composition of the Closing the Justice Gap Working Group

By Ian Ross At its February 25, 2022 meeting, the State Bar of California Board of Trustees voted to adopt staff’s recommendations to adjust the composition of the Closing the Justice Gap Working Group (CTJG), streamline its meeting processes, and Continue reading

State Bar of California Proceeds with Recommendations from the Committee on Special Discipline Case Audit for the Development of a California Trust Account Program

By Ian Ross On November 19, 2021, the State Bar of California’s Committee on Special Discipline Case Audit (Committee) submitted its Report to the Board of Trustees, recommending that the Board establish a Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) to Continue reading

State Bar’s Paraprofessional Proposal Returns from Public Comment; Revisions Likely Amid Opposition

By Andrea Lavelle On January 12, 2022, the 110 day public comment period ended for the State Bar’s California Paraprofessional Program Working Group’s (CPPWG) report and recommendations. After receiving more than 2,000 comments from 1,279 individuals and organizations, the Bar Continue reading

State Bar of California Announces George Cardona as Chief Trial Counsel  

By Ian Ross On August 27, 2021, the State Bar announced in a press release that it appointed George S. Cardona as the new Chief Trial Counsel for the attorney discipline system. The Chief Trial Counsel leads the Office of Continue reading

State Bar of California Approves Proposed Plan for Preventative Education for Attorneys

By Andrea Lavelle On July 22, 2021, the State Bar approved a five-year preventative education plan to develop and deploy self-assessment modules and e-learning courses for attorneys. According to the plan, the State Bar first discussed a self-assessment program in Continue reading

State Bar’s Regulation and Discipline Committee Works to Amend State Bar Rule 2201

By Ian Ross On September 23, 2021, the State Bar’s Regulation and Discipline (RAD) Committee unanimously approved the circulation for public comment of an amendment to State Bar Rule of Procedure 2201. The RAD Committee requests public comment on the Continue reading

Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of the Bar Exam Commences Meetings

By James Lanham On September 1, 2021, the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of the Bar Exam held its second meeting.[Part 1, Part 2]  In 2020, the California Supreme Court and the Board of Trustees established the Blue Ribbon Continue reading

State Bar of California Releases Paraprofessional Program Working Report for Public Comment

By Andrea Lavelle On September 23, 2021, the State Bar Board voted after two hours of public comment, to release the California Paraprofessional Program Working Group’s (CPPWG) report and recommendations with a 110 day comment period. In 2019, the State Continue reading

California State Auditor Finds State Bar Did Not Effectively Manage Its System for Investigating and Disciplining Attorneys Who Abuse the Public Trust

By Ian Ross On April 29, 2021, Elaine Howle, the California State Auditor presented her audit of the State Bar of California’s discipline and bar examination administration systems. The State Auditor conducted this audit pursuant to section 6145(b) of the Continue reading