The State Bar of California is pleased to announce that Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law its annual fee bill, SB 387, which will keep the basic yearly licensing fee at $315 for 2016 for practicing lawyers in California.

A San Diego tax attorney is facing disbarment for entering into $1.4 million in questionable business deals with an elderly client.

David J. Pasternak of Los Angeles was sworn in today as president of the State Bar of California for 2015-16 at the bar’s Annual Meeting in Anaheim. Other officers and incoming members of the Board of Trustees also commenced their terms.  

Orange County attorney James Mazi Parsa is facing disbarment for abandoning numerous clients in October 2009 after he was criminally convicted for unlawful sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old employee.

Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Terry O. Wiley was appointed Friday to fill a temporary vacancy on the Board of Trustees through October 2016.

The State Bar of California's Committee of Bar Examiners reported today that 46.6 percent of the applicants passed the July 2015 General Bar Examination (GBX).

Attorneys and members of the public will be able to comment on the State Bar of California’s disciplinary procedures, attorney competency and admissions procedures at two hearings next month. 

The State Bar of California’s Governance in the Public Interest Task Force will meet Wednesday, Dec. 9, to develop a plan for reviewing the bar’s governance structure, with the goal of providing a report to the Board of Trustees by mid-2016.

The 2016 Board of Trustees election has drawn seven attorney candidates who are vying for two seats.

The State Bar of California announced today that a judge has agreed to appoint an arbitrator to resolve a lawsuit filed by its former executive director.