Ethics

Ethics Opinions Ethics & Technology Resources Ethics Publications Ethics News Rule 8.3 Required Reporting Ethics & Client Trust Accounting Schools

The State Bar offers many resources—including ethics opinions, education programs, and research tools—that can aid you while you practice law. These resources are intended to encourage ethical practice and prevent and discourage attorney misconduct.

Ethics Hotline

The Ethics Hotline is a confidential research service for attorneys seeking guidance on their professional responsibilities.

To receive immediate research assistance, call the Ethics Hotline at 1-800-238-4427 (in California) or 415-538-2150. The Ethics Hotline is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–noon PT, to speak with a live agent. Ethics Hotline staff are also available Monday through Friday from noon to 4:00 p.m. to address Ethics Hotline Research Assistance Request Form submissions. An Ethics Hotline staff member will call you regarding your request form within one to two business days. The request form inbox is monitored daily by Ethics Hotline staff and callbacks are returned in the order received.

If this is a time-sensitive matter, involving potential imminent physical harm or if you are in court and a judge needs a response immediately, call 415-538-2148.

If you have already called the hotline, we value your feedback. Please complete the hotline satisfaction survey about the Ethics Hotline.

Additional information regarding law practices affected by natural disasters or catastrophic events can be found on the Ethics News webpage.

Rules and statutes on attorney conduct

Research and resources

State Bar of California publications

Other publishers

The following selected resources are not published by the State Bar of California. Purchase may be required.

MCLE opportunities

Self-assessments

The State Bar provides self-assessment tools designed to help attorneys evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in practice. These assessments promote competence, efficiency, and improved client service by addressing potential issues before they arise.

  • Earn MCLE credit: Each self-assessment is eligible for up to 1 hour of MCLE self-study credit.
  • Confidential feedback: After answering the questions, attorneys receive feedback and resources to help improve their performance in the specific topic area. Individual answers are private and not shared.
  • Certificates: To receive MCLE credit, download the certificate immediately after completing the assessment. Certificates cannot be accessed once the self-assessment is closed.

Available self-assessments:

Request an ethics speaker

The State Bar offers educational presentations on legal ethics and professional responsibility. To request a CLE speaker, please submit the Ethics Speaker Request Form. Requests should be submitted at least four weeks prior to the event.

Client trust accounts

The State Bar has plenty of information that can help you manage your client trust accounts.

Subscribe

You may subscribe to the Office of Professional Competence’s email list to receive notifications regarding the work of our office, including the circulation of ethics opinions and rules for public comment, publications, educational events, and more.

On this page

Ethics Hotline Rules and Statutes on Attorney Conduct Research and Resources MCLE Opportunities Client Trust Accounts