The California Senate confirmed Tuesday the reappointment of George Cardona as the Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar of California. This is Cardona’s second Senate confirmation. In June 2022, Cardona became the first Senate confirmation of a Chief Trial Counsel in 10 years.
The California State Senate today confirmed the appointment of Laura Enderton-Speed as the Executive Director of the State Bar. The State Bar Board of Trustees announced Enderton-Speed’s appointment in September 2025, and she began her role as the Executive Director on November 3, 2025.
The State Bar of California Board of Trustees marked a historic leadership transition at its September 19 meeting, as Board Chair José Cisneros, Vice-Chair Mark Toney, PhD, and new Trustee David Jargiello were sworn into office by the California Supreme Court Associate Justice Martin J. Jenkins. All three were appointed to their new roles by the California Supreme Court.
On the first day of its two-day meeting, the Board of Trustees announced its appointment of Laura Enderton-Speed as the State Bar’s next Executive Director. Enderton-Speed is currently the director of the Leadership Support Services Office at the Judicial Council of California.
The California Supreme Court announced seven appointments and one reappointment to the State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees and the Committee of Bar Examiners, effective September 19.
The State Bar of California Board of Trustees marked a leadership transition at its September 21–22 meeting, as Board Chair Brandon Stallings, Vice Chair José Cisneros, and new Trustee Mary Huser were sworn into office.
California is the only state with an independent professional court dedicated to ruling on attorney discipline cases. Following several recent appointments by California’s Supreme Court and the Senate Rules Committee, this 33-year-old institution, known as the State Bar Court, is well situated to continue to carry out its mission: “To hear and decide cases fairly, correctly, and efficiently for the protection of the public, the courts, and the legal profession.”
The California Senate confirmed Monday the appointment of George Cardona as the Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar of California. The vote was 35-0, with five abstentions. This is the first Senate confirmation of a Chief Trial Counsel in 10 years.
Vanessa Holton, the General Counsel for the State Bar of California, has announced her retirement after nearly seven years with the State Bar and a stellar legal career that has spanned almost four decades.
