To help attorneys avoid common ethical and client trust accounting mistakes, the State Bar offers Ethics School and Client Trust Accounting School. These programs are available to all California attorneys and interested individuals.
Ethics School
Ethics School addresses common ethical issues faced by attorneys and offers practical solutions. Topics covered include:
The attorney-client relationship
Fees and fee agreements
The scope of employment
Performing competently
Duties to clients during and upon ending the attorney-client relationship
Format and access
The course is self-paced and available on demand 24/7. You may save your progress and return to the course at any time before it expires. The course must be completed within 90 days of purchase.
Mandatory enrollment
Ethics School is required for:
Attorneys ordered by the California Supreme Court or the State Bar Court to complete the course.
Individuals who have agreed to take the course as a condition of an abeyance stipulation related to an Application for Determination of Moral Character.
To successfully complete the course, you must achieve a passing score of 80 percent on the final assessment. To enroll, purchase the course “Ethics School—The Rules of Professional Conduct” through the e-learning catalog. The fee for the course is $159.
Alternative enrollment for MCLE credit
The “Rules of Professional Conduct” course is available for purchase in the State Bar’s e-learning catalog. It is intended for attorneys who are:
Seeking MCLE credit
Not required to attend Ethics School by court order or stipulation
Voluntarily taking the course in connection with the State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel’s Diversion Program, a warning letter, or an agreement in lieu of discipline
To successfully complete the course, you must achieve a passing score of 80 percent on the final assessment. To enroll, purchase the course “The Rules of Professional Conduct” through the e-learning catalog. The fee for the course is $174. This course qualifies for 3.0 hours of participatory MCLE credit in legal ethics.
Client Trust Accounting School
Client Trust Accounting School offers a comprehensive overview of client trust accounting rules and regulations, with a focus on the California Rules of Professional Conduct and key provisions of the State Bar Act and Rules of the State Bar. Topics covered include:
Proper handling and safeguarding of client funds
Recordkeeping and reconciliation requirements
An overview of CTAPP requirements and rules
Common compliance pitfalls and how to avoid them
Disciplinary consequences for violations
Best practices for maintaining trust account integrity
Format and access
The course is self-paced and available on demand 24/7. You may save your progress and return to the course at any time before it expires. The course must be completed within 90 days of purchase.
Mandatory enrollment
Client Trust Accounting School is required for:
Attorneys ordered by the California Supreme Court or the State Bar Court to complete the course.
Individuals who have agreed to take the course as a condition of an abeyance stipulation related to an Application for Determination of Moral Character.
To successfully complete the course, you must achieve a passing score of 80 percent on the final assessment. To enroll, purchase the course “CTA School—Client Trust Accounting Rules and Regulations” through the e-learning catalog. The fee for the course is $106.
Alternative enrollment for MCLE credit
The “Client Trust Accounting Rules and Regulations” course is available for purchase in the State Bar’s e-learning catalog. It is intended for attorneys who are:
Seeking MCLE credit
Not required to attend Client Trust Accounting School by court order or stipulation
Voluntarily taking the course in connection with the State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel’s Diversion Program, a warning letter, or an agreement in lieu of discipline
To successfully complete the course, you must achieve a passing score of 80 percent on the final assessment. To enroll, purchase the course “Client Trust Accounting Rules and Regulations” through the e-learning catalog. The fee for the course is $87. This course qualifies for 1.5 hours of participatory MCLE credit in legal ethics.
