News

The State Bar of California and the Los Angeles Times have entered into a settlement agreement in the matter of Los Angeles Times Communications v. State Bar of California (Girardi) that is pending before the California Supreme Court. Under the agreement’s terms, the parties will jointly request that the Court dismiss the petition, which the Los Angeles Times filed in June 2021, seeking access to information pertaining to closed disciplinary cases against now-disbarred attorney Thomas V. Girardi.   

The State Bar of California announced today a new paid summer Legal Aid Leaders Fellowship Program for 76 law school fellows. The State Bar’s Legal Services Trust Fund Commission awarded nearly $760,000 to 35 host legal aid providers. 

At its meeting on May 18 and 19, the State Bar of California Board of Trustees approved two alternatives for California Supreme Court consideration of a new Rule of Professional Conduct that would require attorneys to report misconduct by other attorneys.   

Today the State Bar announced that 1,224 (32.5 percent of applicants) passed the February 2023 California General Bar Exam, and 205 (56.9 percent of applicants) passed the Attorneys’ Exam. 

The State Bar of California issued the following statement in response to the California State Auditor’s report today:

The State Bar of California is currently accepting applications from attorneys interested in serving on the Board of Directors for California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA), a legal aid organization that serves rural and small city residents in communities throughout California. CRLA is funded through the State Bar’s Legal Services Trust Fund, as well as the federal Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a nonprofit established by the U.S. Congress in 1974 to promote equal access to justice and provide grants to assist low-income Americans.

At its meeting on March 16, the State Bar of California Board of Trustees approved for a 45-day public comment period options for a new rule that would create a duty for California attorneys to report misconduct by other attorneys.

The State Bar of California Board of Trustees released today two redacted reports on its past handling of complaints against disgraced and disbarred attorney Thomas V. Girardi. The Board decided to release the reports in furtherance of the agency’s public protection mission and its commitment to transparency and accountability.

As this week marks National Consumer Protection Week, the State Bar of California’s Public Trust Liaison (El Intermediario de Confianza Públicas) Enrique Zuniga seeks to create awareness about how the public can avoid legal fraud and scams, saving time, money, and―in some cases―preventing irreparable harm.

In a joint effort with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, the State Bar of California on Thursday seized the downtown Los Angeles office, as well as relevant documents at the Glendale home, of Nubia Esmeralda Burrier for the unauthorized practice of law (UPL), announced George Cardona, State Bar Chief Trial Counsel.

The State Bar of California’s Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona announced today the filing of a Notice of Disciplinary Charges (NDC) against attorney John Charles Eastman (State Bar No. 193726).

At its meeting Thursday and Friday, the State Bar Board of Trustees grappled with tough decisions around the agency’s 2023 budget, which must be finalized and submitted to the Legislature by the end of February.

In an effort to recognize California legal employers who take vital steps to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the State Bar of California announced today the launch of its DEI Leadership Seal Program.

The State Bar of California announced today that Enrique Zuniga has been appointed as the agency’s first-ever Public Trust Liaison. The Public Trust Liaison will ensure that members of the public, applicants for admission, legal consumers, attorneys, and other constituents, can meaningfully voice their complaints about State Bar action or inaction and receive assistance in having those concerns addressed.

At its November meeting Thursday, the Board of Trustees approved proposing to the Supreme Court a series of options for extending the highly successful provisional licensure program (PLP).

Today the State Bar announced that 3,753 (52.4 percent of applicants) passed the July 2022 California General Bar Exam. If those who passed satisfy all other requirements for admission, they will be eligible to be licensed by the State Bar to practice law in California. 

On November 3, 2022, Ruben Duran, Chair of the State Bar Board of Trustees, issued an open letter and disclosures regarding closed cases against now-disbarred attorney Thomas V. Girardi. A minor update to the disclosure was published on November 4. Frequently asked questions about this disclosure are available here.

The State Bar of California today submitted to the Legislative Analyst’s Office and legislative leaders a report proposing new discipline case processing standards. The report, required by Senate Bill 211 (last year’s fee bill) proposes shorter timelines than current averages, while differentiating timelines by case complexity and types of cases, prioritizing those that pose a greater risk to the public.  

In a joint effort with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the State Bar recently seized the practice of Peter Shah, a Porter Ranch resident who repeatedly engaged in the unauthorized practice of law (UPL), announced George Cardona, State Bar Chief Trial Counsel, today.  

The Supreme Court of California announced today it has approved rules put forth by the State Bar of California to implement the new Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP), which includes new reporting requirements for attorneys. The program is designed to strengthen proactive oversight and regulation of client trust accounts.