The State Bar published its 2025 Digital Annual Report today, outlining a year defined by operational resilience, major system challenges and improvements, and investments in public protection and access to justice. The report highlights the agency’s response to the issues impacting the February 2025 California Bar Exam, the distribution of record-breaking legal aid funding, and significant progress across core regulatory functions.
In response to the widespread challenges applicants faced during the February 2025 bar exam, the State Bar provided financial reimbursements as well as scoring and non-scoring adjustments. The Office of Admissions then transitioned to smoothly deliver the in-person July 2025 exam for 7,740 test takers. The State Bar also renewed its work on the future of the bar exam, preparing an updated recommendation for consideration by the California Supreme Court.
“The 2025 Digital Annual Report captures a year of significant challenges, innovation, and steadfast commitment to serving the public,” said Executive Director Laura Enderton-Speed. “Through major operational improvements, expanded access to justice, and strong regulatory safeguards, the State Bar advanced its mission while preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
The year 2025 also saw the distribution of a historic $308 million in legal aid funding to 114 organizations by the Office of Access & Inclusion and the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission. While this represents the highest level of legal aid investment in State Bar history, declining federal funding and reduced interest rates are projected to lower available resources by an estimated $40 million in 2026.
The Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) completed its reorganization in July 2025 to better address shifting complaint case trends and adapt to staffing reductions stemming from the State Bar’s voluntary workforce reduction program. OCTC also pursued cases involving attorneys posing significant risks to the public and the administration of justice. The Office of Public Trust Liaison formally launched the Attorney-Client Bridge Program in March 2025, providing a voluntary, collaborative avenue for clients and attorneys to address low-level concerns such as communication issues and return-of-file requests.
The report features two “State Bar Stories,” short videos that highlight how the State Bar impacts lives.
Among the facts highlighted in the report are these:
Total number of attorneys licensed: 278,430
New attorneys admitted: 7,120
Legal aid funds distributed: a record $308 million
Victims reimbursed through the Client Security Fund: 378
Complaints about attorney misconduct and unauthorized practice of law handled: 21,205 (FY)
Bar exam applicants tested: 11,971
Attorneys disciplined: 138 (FY)
Nonattorney practice cases referred to law enforcement: 96 (FY)
Customer service calls handled: 77,806
Sections of the report on attorney regulation and discipline, transparency and accountability, access and inclusion, and admissions provide detailed accomplishments, metrics, and initiatives completed in 2025.
The State Bar of California’s mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.
