The State Bar offers many resources, including ethics opinions, education programs, and research tools that can aid you while you practice law. These resources are intended to encourage ethical practice and prevent and discourage attorney misconduct.
The Ethics Hotline is a confidential research service for attorneys seeking guidance on their professional responsibilities.
For the fastest service, please call the Ethics Hotline at 1-800-238-4427 (in California) or 415-538-2150. Due to limited staffing, the Ethics Hotline is currently open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If this is a time-sensitive matter, involving potential imminent physical harm or if you are in court and a judge needs a response immediately, call 415-538-2148.
You may also request a call by completing the online Ethics Hotline Research Assistance Request Form. If you use the online request form, you can expect a call from an Ethics Hotline staff person in 1–3 business days, depending on the call volume.
Additional information regarding law practices affected by natural disasters or catastrophic events can be found on the Ethics News webpage.
The following selected resources are not published by the State Bar of California. Purchase may be required.
The State Bar has plenty of information that can help you manage your client trust accounts.
You may subscribe to the Office of Professional Competence's email list to receive notifications regarding the work of our office, including the circulation of ethics opinions and rules for public comment, publications, educational events, and more.