Reporting Requirements

This page summarizes all reporting requirements for attorneys, including information that comprises a licensee’s record with the State Bar, annual licensing fees, compliance with Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements, compliance with Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) reporting, and attorney conduct that must be reported.

Attorney record

Attorneys are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the information in their State Bar record. Any changes must be reported within 30 days. Attorneys are required to report:

  • A current address,
  • Phone number,
  • Email,
  • Professional website (if one is maintained),
  • Employment sector,
  • Law firm size,
  • Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) reporting,
  • Admission to any other additional jurisdiction(s).

Additionally, pursuant to rule 2.2(b) of the Rules of the State Bar of California, attorneys are required to verify the required information listed above by February 1 of each year during the annual license renewal process.

To make changes, please use My State Bar Profile. For help accessing your profile, view this guide.

Attorneys may also report optional information for display on their public profile: areas of practice and languages spoken by you or your office staff. 

Annual licensing fees

State Bar annual licensing fees must be paid by February 1, and penalties will be imposed for nonpayment. You may pay annual licensing fees by logging in to My State Bar Profile. Information about licensing fees and waivers is available here.

MCLE compliance

California attorneys must report compliance with the requirement to take 25 hours of continuing legal education every three years. To report MCLE compliance, please visit My State Bar Profile. Find out more about the State Bar’s legal education requirements.

For questions related to your attorney record, annual licensing fees, or MCLE compliance, please email AttorneyRegulation@calbar.ca.gov.

Client Trust Account compliance

California attorneys must annually comply with Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) reporting requirements, which include:

  • Reporting whether the attorney maintained a client trust account (including IOLTA) or a firm or organization maintained one on their behalf.
  • Registering client trust accounts, including IOLTA, that were open at any time during the reporting period. Additionally, attorneys must report any changes to their IOLTA account information within 30 days of those changes.
  • Completing a self-assessment (questions previewed here). 
  • Submitting a final declaration and certifying compliance with the rules of safekeeping.

To comply with the CTAPP reporting requirements, please visit My State Bar Profile. 

For attorneys employed by or in practice with law firms, if the firm or organization you are currently employed by or in practice with is registered with the State Bar's Agency Billing platform, the State Bar may receive your CTA registration information from your firm or organization administrator at the time annual fees are paid. However, attorneys will still need to complete the individual self-assessment and certify compliance. If the State Bar does not receive your CTA registration data through your law firms or organization, you must report this information by the February 1 compliance deadline. Please contact your firm or organization administrator to confirm whether they will report the CTA registration data on your behalf.

If you or your firm or organization fail to report this information by the deadline, you will be assessed a noncompliance penalty. If you still do not comply, you will be enrolled as an inactive licensee.

Attorney conduct

Attorneys licensed in California are required by various sections of the Business and Professions Code and the Rules of Professional Conduct to report to the State Bar, in writing, within 30 days of the time the attorney has knowledge, a variety of actions. Failure to report a mandatory reportable action in and of itself constitutes a violation that may subject an attorney to disciplinary action. Here are the categories of conduct that attorneys must report:

Criminal actions

The following actions must be reported by completing a criminal proceedings form.

  • The bringing of an indictment or information charging you with a felony.[1]
  • A conviction, whether by verdict or plea of guilty or no contest, of any of the following:
    • A felony;
    • A misdemeanor committed in the course or the practice of law or in which a client was the victim.
    • A misdemeanor conviction, a necessary element of which involves improper conduct of an attorney, including dishonesty or other moral turpitude, or an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation of another to commit such a crime.[2]

Employment and termination of an attorney who is not eligible to practice

When employing or terminating a disbarred, suspended, or involuntarily enrolled inactive lawyer, an attorney must comply with restrictions [3] and inform the State Bar and clients by completing a  Notice to the State Bar form, and a Notice to the client form.

Judicial sanctions

All judicial sanctions must be reported except for those for failure to make discovery or monetary sanctions of less than $1,000.[4]

Lawsuits and settlements

  • The filing of three or more lawsuits within a 12-month period against you, or your firm or law corporation, for malpractice or for wrongful conduct committed in a professional capacity.[5]
  • The entry of judgment against you, or your firm or law corporation, in a civil action for: fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, or gross negligence in a professional capacity.[6]
  • Settlement or arbitration award for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, or gross negligence in a professional capacity—if you are not covered by professional liability insurance.[7]

Professional discipline

Attorneys must report discipline imposed against them, or their firm or law corporation, by any professional or occupational disciplinary agency or licensing board, whether in California or elsewhere.[8] This includes discipline imposed by other state bars, professional or occupational disciplinary agencies for other professions, and courts in other jurisdictions, including federal bankruptcy, district, and appellate courts. Discipline should be reported using this form.

Reversal of judgment in a proceeding for professional misconduct

Any reversal of judgment in a civil or criminal proceeding based in whole or in part on professional misconduct, gross incompetence, or willful misrepresentation.[9]

Another lawyer's misconduct

Effective August 1, 2023, lawyers must comply with Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3, which requires a lawyer to report certain misconduct by another lawyer. The Rule 8.3 Reporting Requirements page provides more information about this reporting obligation.

Related links

Footnotes

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[1] Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6068(o)(4)

[2] Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6068(o)(5)

[3] Rule 5.3.1, Rules of Professional Conduct

[4] Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6068(o)(3)

[5] Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6068(o)(1)

[6] Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6068(o)(2)

[7] Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6086.8(b) & (c)

[8] Bus. & Prof. Code, §§ 6002.1(a)(4), 6068(o)(6). See the statutes for a more detailed description of what must be reported. See also Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6002.1(a)(5) & (b) regarding requirements applicable to attorneys subject to conditions of disciplinary probation or ordered by the California Supreme Court to comply with California Rule of Court 9.20.

[9] Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6068(o)(7)