State Bar of California
Recent News About State Bar of California
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11 California attorneys disbarred in third quarter, State Bar reports
A total of 11 California attorneys were expelled from their profession in the third quarter of this year, while another 15 were either suspended, put on probation or both, according to new data released by the California State Bar. -
California high court disbars Manhattan Beach attorney who mishandled client funds
The California Supreme Court has disbarred a Manhattan Beach attorney who misappropriated client funds to the tune of about $117,000 and allegedly used some of the money to support his gambling activities. -
State Bar seizes immigration services office in El Cajon, alleges unauthorized practice of law
An immigration services office in El Cajon has been seized by the State Bar of California, which alleges that the owner of the business has been misrepresenting herself as an attorney on immigration and family law issues. -
California lawmakers OK attorney licensing fee hike to better police attorneys in the state
Funding and program reforms coupled with an $88 hike in the annual dues for California attorneys will allow the State Bar of California to better protect clients’ trust funds and mete out appropriate discipline to lawyers who defy ethics rules. -
Response from the State Bar of California on Signing of Assembly Bill 3279, the Attorney Licensing Fee Bill
On September 12, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3279, the State Bar licensing fee bill. -
Judge: Former State Bar executive director culpable for lying about funding of Mongolia trip
A former California State Bar executive director should be placed on one year of probation for allegedly misleading the State Bar’s Board of Trustees by falsely saying that no State Bar funds would be used for a 2014 trip to Mongolia, a judge has decided. -
Disbarred California attorney guilty of promoting $9.5 million cryptocurrency scheme
A disbarred Southern California attorney has pleaded guilty to inducing people to take part in a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme involving artificial-intelligence trading bots – a plot that led to investors being defrauded out of $9.5 million. -
Board of Trustees Approves Record Expungement Plan for Nondisbarment Attorney Discipline
At its meeting on May 16, the State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees approved a plan to automatically expunge nondisbarment attorney discipline records after eight years, assuming no further discipline has since occurred. -
Former State Bar official`s ghost-writing of attorney discipline reports raises conflict-of-interest concerns
A former California State Bar deputy executive director ghost-wrote seven attorney discipline case reports that were supposed to be managed by independent outside counsel to avoid appearances of conflicts of interest, a legal investigation concluded. -
California State Bar disputes lawsuit's allegations of 'rampant corruption' in case of disbarred L.A. attorney
The State Bar of California has rejected claims outlined in a lawsuit that it engaged in “rampant corruption” and incestuous relations with disbarred Los Angeles attorney Thomas Girardi, who is scheduled to face criminal proceedings later this year. -
State Bar accuses L.A. lawyer of colluding with opposing counsel in class action against city utility
An attorney who represented plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit allegedly colluded with opposing counsel working on behalf of city of Los Angeles officials during the fallout from a Los Angeles Department of Water & Power billing system failure. -
Cal Supreme Court OKs new ethics rules to fight conflicts of interest
Newly issued rules from the California Supreme Court are designed to combat corruption and to prevent conflicts of interest like those resulting from the Thomas Girardi scandal. -
Committee of Bar Examiners Withdraws Registration of Peoples College of Law Due to Noncompliance
In a first-of-its kind move, the State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) voted to withdraw the registration and terminate the degree-granting authority of Los Angeles-based Peoples College of Law (PCL), effective May 31, 2024. -
State Bar of California Board of Trustees Approves Plan to Pilot Alternative Pathway to Licensure
At its November meeting, the State Bar Board of Trustees approved forwarding to the California Supreme Court a plan to pilot a Portfolio Bar Examination (PBE) as a method for assessing a candidate’s minimum competence to practice law. -
Bonta under fire: Cal Policy Center asks state bar to investigate AG's use of law against parents
As parents continue efforts to push for inclusion in key decisions on how their children want to gender identify, California Attorney Gen. Rob Bonta is suing to quash it, leading to a state Bar complaint that challenges the AG’s use of the legal system against parents. -
California Supreme Court rule to report attorney misconduct takes effect, to avoid repeat of Girardi debacle
A new rule from the California Supreme Court requires increased oversight among attorneys, a mandate long present in other states, and now here following high profile cases of wrongdoing including now disbarred attorney Thomas Girardi. -
Meeting Notice
The agenda for the Feb 27 special meeting of the #StateBarCA Board of Trustees is now posted. -
Meeting Notice on January 13, 2023
The agenda for the Jan 13 meeting of the #StateBarCA Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct is now posted. -
Attorneys: 2023 annual #StateBarCA license renewal season is under way
Attorneys: 2023 annual #StateBarCA license renewal season is under way. -
Disbarred attorney Tom Girardi ordered to pay $2.2 million-plus interest to clients
A judge allegedly granted one family permission to collect against Girardi's estranged wife Erika Jayne