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.