The State Bar of California launches a new website

Dear Attorneys,

I invite you to visit the new State Bar of California website, www.calbar.ca.gov. I would also like to explain changes that you will find there. Change often presents initial challenges and requires time to adjust, and I am confident that the new website will ultimately better serve the public, attorneys, and applicants.

This website redesign and overhaul comes at a time of ongoing reforms for the State Bar. The Legislature has made clear what the State Bar’s priority must be: public protection. We agree. That’s why information for the public, including how to file a complaint, is featured online. The new website aims to provide easier access to resources for consumers of legal services.

As a mandatory licensing agency, the State Bar’s website should also be easier to navigate for the ethical and hardworking attorneys who make up the vast majority of our profession. We aim to make it a smoother process for attorneys to pay their annual fees, report MCLE, stay up to date on ethics and other rules of professional conduct, and to locate pro bono opportunities.

Frequently used links for attorneys licensed in California:

• My State Bar Profile for your attorney record information in order to pay annual licensing fees, update address information, switch from inactive to active status, and other items related to your license
• MCLE requirements and reporting
• Pro bono opportunities and other information about direct financial support for legal aid
• Attorney ethics and rules of professional conduct, including information about the ethics hotline and ethics opinions
• The California Bar Journal is now part of the main State Bar website. You will continue to receive a monthly email with important information for attorneys from the State Bar

We know that the vast majority of attorneys are dedicated to providing high quality legal services to their clients. In order to keep attorneys updated on ethics and other professional conduct requirements, the State Bar provides ethics training and a confidential ethics hotline.

In the instances in which an attorney takes advantage of a client or otherwise engages in misconduct, attorneys or the public can file a complaint with the State Bar if they are unable to resolve the matter. I’m sure we can all agree that upholding the reputation of our profession is an important goal. Part of this includes high standards and accountability. The new website also strives to make information about the State Bar’s attorney discipline system more accessible to the public and the legal community.

For questions, please find contact information for various State Bar of California departments on our online directory.

Please know that your feedback is important to us. We’re seeking comments on the new website in order to better serve the public, attorneys and applicants. An online survey is available here. Your input will help us reach our goal of better accessibility. If you encounter problems accessing information on the website, please contact us for assistance.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker
Executive Director, State Bar of California

The State Bar of California is an administrative arm of the California Supreme Court, protecting the public and seeking to improve the justice system since 1927. All lawyers practicing law in California must be admitted to the State Bar.