Want to File a Complaint
A complaint is filed against an attorney when they engage in misconduct—a violation of professional responsibility rules, ethical standards, or legal obligations. Attorney misconduct could include dishonesty, fraud, the misuse of client money, or reckless or intentional misrepresentation.
If your issue is a fee dispute, poor legal strategy, or a case outcome that you disagree with, it probably does not qualify as attorney misconduct. There are other ways to resolve issues with your attorney. You can explore alternative resolutions below.
Before you file a complaint, take a few minutes to understand if the attorney misconduct complaint process is the right option for your situation. Not all issues or concerns with your attorney qualify as attorney misconduct. Read below to understand your options and how the State Bar can help you.
Options to resolve problems with your attorney
The Office of Public Trust Liaison can help you understand how the discipline system works, what constitutes a viable complaint, and what options are available to you.
The Attorney-Client Bridge Program can immediately help you get in touch with your attorney or retrieve files from a former attorney.
Connect with a State Bar–certified lawyer referral service to help you find another lawyer.
The Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program is an informal, confidential, and lower-cost forum for resolving fee disputes between lawyers and their clients.
What the State Bar can and cannot do
The State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) annually reviews approximately 24,000 complaints about attorney misconduct. OCTC reviews and investigates these complaints to determine whether there is a basis for pursuing disciplinary charges against the lawyer. OCTC cannot order refunds, change the outcome of your case, or provide you with legal advice or legal assistance. Watch this video to learn about the kinds of attorney misconduct OCTC investigates—and what falls outside its authority.
Video: What the State Bar complaint process can and cannot do
The State Bar can
- Investigate attorney misconduct, that is, violations of professional responsibility rules, ethical standards, and legal obligations
- Issue warnings to attorneys
- Pursue disciplinary charges and recommend probation, suspension, or disbarment
- Refer criminal conduct to law enforcement
- Help recover stolen money via the Client Security Fund
The State Bar cannot
- Give you legal advice or represent you
- Order your attorney to refund fees or return other funds to you
- Reverse a court decision or settlement or ask a court to reverse an earlier decision or settlement
- Resolve fee disputes (see fee arbitration)
- Act as your advocate in a dispute or litigation
How to file a viable complaint
Watch this video to learn how to submit a viable complaint. TIP: Just tell us what happened with as much detail as possible to avoid potential delays.
Tell us what happened, including dates, names, and actions. Be as specific as possible.
- Fact: “On March 3, 2026, my attorney missed a filing deadline and did not notify me until two weeks later.” This provides factual information that will support your complaint.
- Legal conclusion: “My attorney committed malpractice.” This is an allegation and does not provide the factual information needed to support a complaint.
Make sure you include all supporting documents relevant to your complaint. If you have a written record of when you contacted your attorney (e.g., text messages, emails, and certified mail) and did not receive a response, include it with your complaint.
Do not wait to submit documents! If we request additional documents and you do not respond, your case may be closed during initial review. Supporting documents include:
- Retainer or fee agreement
- Emails and letters with your attorney
- Timeline of key dates and events
- Court filings or case documents
- Billing statements
If you submit your complaint to the State Bar by mail, send copies of your documents and keep the originals for your own records.
Providing one clear, detailed chronology is more effective than providing many attachments without context. Use the complaint form’s narrative section to tell your story in chronological order and provide specific dates whenever possible.
Do not rush: Take the extra time needed to gather all your documents and focus on providing clear, detailed factual information. If your complaint is incomplete, this will cause processing delays and may result in closure of your complaint.
The State Bar will contact you by email. If you miss a request to submit additional information, your case may be closed. You will receive a closing letter if your case is closed. Add no-reply@calbar.ca.gov and octcdonotreply@calbar.ca.gov to your email safe list immediately after filing, and do not forget to check your spam folder for any missed emails.
What happens after you file
The State Bar carefully reviews all complaints against attorneys and unlicensed legal providers.
View a chart on the Attorney Discipline Complaint Process
Complaints and investigations are confidential. If charges are filed, the case becomes public and appears on the attorney’s profile. The California Supreme Court has final authority in suspension or disbarment cases.
Ordinarily, your identity will be disclosed to the attorney during investigation. If you are the attorney’s current or former client, this is required for the attorney to produce requested documents and information pursuant to a waiver of attorney-client privilege.
Ready to file?
File online for the fastest processing. Forms are also available in multiple languages.
- To report attorney misconduct:
- If you are a member of the public, please use the Attorney Misconduct Online Complaint form
- If you are a judicial officer or court staff, please use the Discipline Referral form
- If you are an attorney self-reporting, please use these Self-Reporting Forms
- If you want to report an unauthorized practice of law, please use the Nonattorney Unauthorized Practice of Law Online Complaint form