Frequently Asked Questions

Complaints Against Attorneys

800-843-9053
(toll free in California)
213-765-1200
(from outside California)

Filing a Complaint

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find information on the annual fees? How can I change my address of record with the State Bar? What is the mailing address of the State Bar? Who can I call if I have an ethics question?Does the State Bar have a program for attorneys to provide pro bono services? Where can I find information about client trust accounts?Where do I go if I have questions about my MCLE compliance?Does the State Bar have a legal specialist program?Does the State Bar have law practice sections for attorneys?Does the State Bar have information about insurance for attorneys? What is the State Bar? How can I find out the status of an attorney with the State Bar?How do I file a complaint against an attorney? How can I file a complaint against a judge? What if I have been the victim of an immigration consultant or unlicensed legal provider?How can I find a lawyer to represent me? What do I do if I have a fee dispute with my attorney? What is the State Bar of California?Does the State Bar have information about malpractice insurance?Does the State Bar have information about malpractice insurance? Where can an attorney find out more information about the State Bar's programs and services? Where can a member of the public find more information about services offered by the State Bar? How many attorneys are in California? How can I find information about an attorney? Can the State Bar help me find a lawyer for my legal problems? How can I file a complaint against an attorney? What happens to my files if my attorney dies? What happens to my files if my attorney dies? What happens to my files if my attorney dies? Where can I find information about studying law and taking the California Bar Exam? Where can an attorney find information about Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)? Where can I find information about the State Bar's role in the selection of California judges? What are the different levels of discipline that the State Bar Court imposes on attorneys? What kinds of violations typically result in disbarment and other levels of discipline? How does the State Bar handle attorney misconduct? Are State Bar investigations into attorney misconduct public or confidential? After a complaint has been filed, how long does it take for disciplinary charges? What happens to an attorney after charges are filed against them in State Bar Court? What does the State Bar do when a California attorney is convicted of a crime? What is the Client Security Fund and how does it work? What is the Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program? How does the program work? What factors are considered in fee arbitration? What is the difference between binding and nonbinding arbitration? Should I agree to binding arbitration?What happens at a fee arbitration hearing?Can an attorney refuse to arbitrate a disputed fee?How do I request fee arbitration?May I ask for fee arbitration if I want a refund of fees I have already paid to an attorney? What is IOLTA? How does IOLTA work? What effect does IOLTA have on the owner of the funds? What do lawyers need to do to participate in IOLTA? Who is responsible for the oversight of the IOLTA program? How much money is distributed by IOLTA? How is the IOLTA grant money distributed? What programs receive IOLTA grants?How can I help improve access to justice? What are the requirements to register as a law corporation with the State Bar? Is the guarantee the same as malpractice insurance? After I have incorporated, how much time do I have to register with the State Bar of California? What is the Limited Liability Partnership program? Is it permissible if one of the LLP's partners is also a shareholder in a law corporation and/or already a partner in another LLP? We are dissolving our LLP, how do we terminate our Certificate of Registration with the State Bar? What legal work qualifies as pro bono? Where can I find pro bono opportunities? How much time must I devote to pro bono activities?Where can I find the Rules of Professional Conduct and formal ethic opinions? How do I know if a legal services provider is "qualified"? Does pro bono always mean taking on an entire case? Can I be trained in an area outside my usual practice? What pro bono work can a transactional lawyer do? What pro bono work can an attorney who is retired or taking a break from active practice do? I don’t feel that I am an expert. Should I take on a client? How can I contribute financially instead of volunteering? What is a Special Master? Why are Special Masters required? How are Special Masters designated? How are Special Masters appointed? What do attorneys do as Special Masters? What are the qualifications for being a Special Master? What compensation and immunities do Special Masters receive? Are Special Masters needed in my county? Where can I find contact information about various offices of the State Bar? What is the Lawyer Assistance Program? What is the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation? What is the role of the JNE Commission? What, if any, information on a candidate can the State Bar release and when can it do so? Can the JNE Commission nominate or appoint judges? How many members serve on the JNE Commission? How are they appointed? When was JNE established? Who handled its function before its existence? How long is the evaluation process? What are the qualities and attributes considered by the JNE Commission in the evaluation process? What are the ratings? Can the Governor appoint a candidate whom the JNE Commission finds not qualified? Can a candidate request review of a not qualified rating? What percent of candidates have been found not qualified? How many JNE Commission members are assigned to investigate a candidate? What does the JNE Commission do to gather information about a proposed candidate? Is the candidate given an opportunity to refute and/or respond to any negative comments received by the investigating commissioners? Does the JNE Commission interview the candidates in person? What guarantees do I have that my participation in the LAP will be kept confidential? What is expected of the participant while in the Lawyer Assistance Program?Are the LAP and the Alternative Discipline Program (ADP) the same?How are LAP group meetings different from self-help group meetings like The Other Bar, and why do I need to participate in both?Why are law students, State Bar applicants, and attorneys with substance use and mental health issues combined in the same group meetings?How long is the Support LAP program? Where can I find information about avoiding fraud, finding help with immigration matters, and other subjects? Do I have to report my pro bono hours?Do government attorneys lose their Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) exemption by doing pro bono work? How do I transfer to active status? How do I transfer to inactive status? How do I obtain a Certificate of Standing?How do I obtain a bar card?How do I report my MCLE compliance?How do I update my current Legal Specialization certification?What is the mailing address of the State Bar?Where can I find information about opening and closing a law practice? If I think an attorney has engaged in misconduct or malpractice, will fee arbitration help me?What is the deadline for requesting fee arbitration? Can my attorney require me to participate in mandatory fee arbitration? When do I receive the arbitration decision? How long is the Monitored LAP program? What is the cost for the weekly LAP support group meetings? What is the cost for the drug or alcohol testing? How often is drug testing? After my two free short-term counseling sessions, what is the cost? What is the criteria for financial assistance and how much does it cover? How can I obtain additional information about the Lawyer Assistance Program? What is the Attorney Census?

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