The State Bar's Law Corporations Program certifies professional corporations that wish to practice law in accordance with applicable statutes and court rules. The program monitors compliance with those provisions.
The Law Corporation 2019 Annual Report and 2020 Renewal has been emailed to the official contact email address on record for your law corporation. You must complete and submit this year’s renewal form to be counted as compliant for 2020. Renewals received using prior year’s forms will not be accepted.
Payment must be submitted by check and mailed with your completed renewal to the indicated address. There is no online payment option and we are not able to accept credit card payments for the Annual Report and Renewal. Additionally, payment cannot be completed over the phone.
The Annual Report and Renewal was originally due April 1, 2020 with penalties assessed for renewals received postmarked after May 4, 2020. However, due to the evolving COVID-19 situation the Board of Trustees will be reviewing this deadline. We will keep you informed of any changes. In any case, renewals submitted by May 4, 2020 will not be assessed a late penalty.
Incorrect bylaws language Refer to the Law Corporation Rules of the State Bar and use the exact language from Rule 3.157, paragraphs A - E, in the portions of your bylaws that pertain to ownership and transfer of shares in the corporation. Attach only the portions of the law corporation's bylaws which contain this language. Do not submit your entire set of bylaws.
Incorrect and unsigned certificate of secretary A declaration by the secretary of the corporation must be submitted with the required portions of the bylaws to certify that they are true and correct excerpts of the bylaws of the corporation. Signature of the corporate Secretary must be original.
Photocopied Secretary of State forms You must attach an original certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation from the Secretary of State. If the corporation was incorporated in a jurisdiction outside California, you must attach an original Certificate of Status of Foreign Corporation from the Secretary of State. Photocopies of Secretary of State documents cannot be accepted.
Law corporation name The name of your law corporation in State Bar records (and on file with the Secretary of State) is the only name under which it may practice law. Rule 3.152-B of the Law Corporation Rules requires that the name "complies with the California Rules of Professional Conduct and that the name includes wording or abbreviations denoting corporate existence..." Please refer to the excerpt from California Rules of Professional Conduct Rules 7.1-7.5. If you are not sure the name of your law corporation complies with Rules 7.1-7.5, contact the State Bar of California at 1-888-800-3400 or review Law Corporation Name Definitions & Abbreviations for frequent name issues.