News
Find the latest news on attorney licensing, discipline, and State Bar policy updates and programs that matter to the public.
Note: The news releases were published at the time indicated and have not been updated. They are maintained for archival reference.
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Board Sends Community Justice Worker Program Recommendations to California Supreme Court
September 18, 2026
At its September 17–18 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a recommendation to the California Supreme Court to establish a statewide Community Justice Worker (CJW) Program.
State Bar Seizes Chula Vista Immigration Consultant’s Unauthorized Law Practice
September 10, 2026
The State Bar of California announced the seizure of the unauthorized law practice of Gabriel Luna de la Fuente of Chula Vista, after he took more than $4,000 from a client for immigration services for herself and her daughter—selecting and preparing her legal forms himself, directing her to deposit money directly into his bank account, and never disclosing that he was not and never has been a licensed attorney or supervised by one.
State Bar Seizes Records of Tustin Man’s Illegal Immigration Law Practice
August 13, 2026
The State Bar of California announced today the seizure of the unauthorized law practice of John Minnella of Tustin, following an investigation sparked by a Mexican immigrant who paid Minnella thousands of dollars for immigration legal services that were never delivered.
State Bar Submits Letter to Supreme Court with Update on February 2025 CA Bar Exam Internal Investigation
August 5, 2026
During closed session on August 4, 2026, the State Bar Board of Trustees approved the submission of a letter to the California Supreme Court that provides an update on the privileged independent internal investigation into the issues relating to the February 2025 California Bar Exam, which the Bo
Artesia Nonattorney Engaged in Illegal Law Practice Under Multiple Attorneys’ Offices
July 20, 2026
The State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel announced today that it recently seized the illegal business operated by nonattorney John Pamintuan Alamarez Jr. of Artesia after evidence showed that he used his standing in the Filipino community to engage in long-standing unauthorized practice of law (UPL) as an employee of a licensed attorney.
Board Focuses on California Supreme Court’s NextGen UBE and California Component Order
July 16, 2026
At its July 16, 2026, meeting, the Board of Trustees heard a presentation from Admissions Chief Donna Hershkowitz highlighting the California Supreme Court’s order approving the State Bar’s recommendation to move to the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE) beginning in July 2028 and to prepare the addition of a California component for July 2029.
Notice of Bar Exam to Be Administered Beginning July 2028
July 15, 2026
The State Bar announced today that, beginning with the July 2028 California Bar Exam, the State Bar will administer the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (NextGen UBE), produced by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).
State Bar Enters into Settlement Agreement with Meazure Learning
July 13, 2026
The State Bar of California entered into a settlement agreement with ProctorU, Inc., dba Meazure Learning (Meazure Learning), resolving its lawsuit against the vendor it contracted with to administer the remote and in-person administration of the February 2025 California Bar Exam, the State Bar Office of General Counsel announced today.
State Bar of California Responds to 2026 California State Auditor’s Report
July 9, 2026
“Since the February 2025 bar exam, the State Bar has undertaken significant work to strengthen the administration of the California bar examination and improve our practices and processes including contracting, exam development and validation, and internal and external communication,” said José Cisneros, State Bar Board Chair.
State Bar’s Ninth Annual Diversity Summit Spotlights Neuroinclusion as Key to a Stronger Legal Profession
July 2, 2026
The State Bar’s Office of Access & Inclusion hosted its ninth annual Diversity Summit, bringing together more than 75 legal professionals—including legal aid organizations, government agencies, law schools, and private sector attorneys and employers.
State Bar Announces DEI Seal Tier Advancements and Committed Organizations
June 18, 2026
The State Bar of California announced today that three existing DEI Leadership Seal organizations achieved higher Leadership Seals, and two new organizations have committed to earn a Seal.
2026 Client Trust Account Compliance Reviews for 400 Attorneys Launched
June 17, 2026
The State Bar’s Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) team has begun notifying 400 California attorneys, randomly selected from a cross-section of the attorney population, that they will undergo a mandatory compliance review of their 2025 trust account recordkeeping.
California State Senate Confirms George Cardona as Chief Trial Counsel
May 20, 2026
The California Senate confirmed Tuesday the reappointment of George Cardona as the Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar of California. This is Cardona’s second Senate confirmation. In June 2022, Cardona became the first Senate confirmation of a Chief Trial Counsel in 10 years.
Board Recommends NextGen Uniform Bar Exam in 2028 and Added California Component Soon After
May 15, 2026
At its May 14–15, 2026, meeting, the Board of Trustees concurred with and approved the Committee of Bar Examiners’ (CBE) recommendation that the California Supreme Court adopt the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ (NCBE) NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (NextGen UBE) for administration beginning in July 2028.
California State Senate Confirms Laura Enderton-Speed as Executive Director
May 14, 2026
The California State Senate today confirmed the appointment of Laura Enderton-Speed as the Executive Director of the State Bar. The State Bar Board of Trustees announced Enderton-Speed’s appointment in September 2025, and she began her role as the Executive Director on November 3, 2025.
State Bar Announces February 2026 Bar Exam Results
May 1, 2026
The State Bar of California reported Friday that 30.8 percent of exam takers passed the February 2026 General Bar Examination (GBX). In addition, the State Bar also announced that 57.0 percent of those who completed the one-day Attorneys’ Examination passed.
State Bar Releases 2025 Digital Annual Report
April 30, 2026
The State Bar published its 2025 Digital Annual Report today, outlining a year defined by operational resilience, major system challenges and improvements, and investments in public protection and access to justice.
State Bar Seizes Illegal Livermore Law Office That Put a Family’s Legal Status in Jeopardy
April 22, 2026
The State Bar of California seized the illegal business of Irene Carlota Raygoza of Livermore after a couple filed a complaint that her mishandling of their immigration case left one of their sons at risk of having to leave the United States for up to 22 years, the Office of Chief Trial Counsel announced today.
CBE Recommends the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam and Consideration of a Future California Component
April 17, 2026
The Committee of Bar Examiners approved a bar exam options risk-benefit analysis and recommended that the California Supreme Court adopt the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ NextGen Uniform Bar Exam for administration beginning in July 2028.
Attorney John Eastman Disbarred by the California Supreme Court
April 15, 2026
The California Supreme Court disbarred attorney John Charles Eastman today. This after the State Bar Court Review Department in July 2025 affirmed the findings of the State Bar Court Hearing Department’s March 2024 recommendation, which found Eastman culpable of 10 out of 11 charges for egregious and deceitful conduct and recommended his disbarment.