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.
Upcoming fee increases
Law Corporation application and renewal fees are increasing. On May 18, 2023, the Board of Trustees approved several administrative fee increases in alignment with recommendations by the State Auditor. These increases will ensure that the State Bar’s overall administrative revenue covers the rising costs of services.
We are working to make the necessary changes to the forms and systems to implement these increases. Related webpages will be updated as fee changes are implemented. See FAQ for more information.
Here are the fee changes for Law Corporations:
A law corporation must annually renew its authorization to practice law by submitting an Annual Report and Renewal.
The 2022 annual report and 2023 renewal will be emailed to the official contact email address on record for your law corporation by the end of February. You must complete and submit this year’s renewal form to be counted as compliant. Renewals received using the prior year’s forms will not be accepted.
Payment must be submitted by check and mailed with your completed renewal to:
For standard mail The State Bar of California Law Corporation Renewals P.O. Box 885610 Los Angeles, CA 90088-5610
Or
For overnight mail Lockbox Services #0175610 The State Bar of California Law Corporation Renewals 3440 Flair Drive El Monte, CA 91731
We cannot accept online payments by credit card, in person, or over the phone. Questions about revoking your law corporation’s Certificate of Registration? Refer to the instructions on revoking a law corporation.
For all other questions, please email LawCorp@calbar.ca.gov or call 888-800-3400.
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 that 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. The 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 888-800-3400 or review Law Corporation Name Definitions & Abbreviations for frequent name issues.