Attorney Misconduct Online Complaint - The State Bar of California

Attorney Misconduct Online Complaint - The State Bar of California
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Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 21-0003 (Ethics of In-House Counsel) (Reissued)
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2026 Public Comment
Proposed New and Revised Rules Related to Qualified Support Center Grant Requirements
Proposed New Rule 1.26 of the State Bar Rules Relating to the Discretion of the Executive Director or Their Designee to Waive Certain Fees and Extend Specified Deadlines
Proposed Modifications to Rules Related to Lawyer Referral Services
Proposals to Implement an Alternative Dispute Resolution Certification Program
Proposed New Rule 2.3 of the State Bar Rules Regarding the Civility Oath (Reissued)
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Court and the State Bar Rules Regarding the Procedure Upon Suspension for Nonpayment (Reissued)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 21-0003 (Ethics of In-House Counsel)
Proposed New and Revised Rules Related to Grants Administration
Proposed Amendments Rules Related to Lawyer Referral Services
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Court and the State Bar Rules Regarding the Procedure Upon Suspension for Nonpayment
2025 Public Comment
Proposed Amendments to Client Trust Account Protection Program Rules
Proposed Amendments to Rule 2.45 Regarding Voluntary Resignation
Proposed Amendments to Rules of Professional Conduct 8.2 and 8.4
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 19-0004 (Client File Release and Retention Duties)
Proposed New and Revised Rules Related to Grants Administration
California Supreme Court Proposes Amendments to Rules Governing the Bar Exam and Other Admissions Matters
Proposed Amendments to Rules of Procedure Related to Probation
Proposed Amended Rule of Professional Conduct 7.3
Proposed Program to Allow Waivers of Filing Fees and Waivers of Transcript Costs in State Bar Court
Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rules on Governance, Fees, and Procedures
Proposed Changes to the Rules of Procedure Regarding the Alternative Discipline Program
Proposed Scope of Client Trust Account Protection Program Compliance Review Procedures
Proposed Rule Revisions Regarding the Practical Training of Law Students
Proposed Standards for Certification and Recertification in Privacy Law
Proposed Amended Rules of Professional Conduct 8.2 and 8.4 (Reissued)
Proposed New Rule 2.3 of the State Bar Rules Regarding the Civility Oath
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0001 (Lawyer as Expert Witness)
Proposed Revisions to Rules Pertaining to the Law Office Study Program
Proposed Amended Rules of Professional Conduct 8.2 and 8.4
Proposed Amendment to Rules of Court Governing Stipulations and New Rule of Court Related to Professional Responsibility Examination
Proposed New State Bar Policy Regarding the Removal of Criminal Conviction Transmittal Notation from the Attorney Profile Page
Proposed Revised Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0003 (Flat Fees and Termination)
2012 Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 11-0002 (Deceitful Conduct)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 09-0001B (Duty of Confidentiality and Seeking Legal Advice)
2013 Public Comment
2010 Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 08-0002 (Confidentiality and Technology) Reissued
2011 Public Comment
2014 Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 12-0007 (Puffing in Negotiations)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 11-0003 (Dissolving Firm and Moving to New Firm)
Proposed Revisions to the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar of California Title 5, Discipline
2015 Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 12-0006 (Attorney Blogging)
2016 Public Comment
2019 Public Comment
Proposed Changes to the Responsibilities of the California Board of Legal Specialization (CBLS)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 12-0003 (Attorney Directory and Rating Websites)
Options for Regulatory Reforms to Promote Access to Justice
Proposed New and Amended Rules of Procedure of the State Bar Regarding Vexatious Complainants
Proposed Revised Formal Opinion Interim No. 14-0004 (Witness Perjury)
Amendment to Rule of Procedure 2201 (Appointment and Authority)
Proposal to Eliminate the Committee on Mandatory Fee Arbitration
Proposed Rule Changes Addressing Public Licensee Information and Required Reporting
Proposed Amended California Rules of Professional Conduct Regarding File Release and Retention Duties
Proposed Changes to State Bar Rules to Revise the Role of the Committee of Bar Examiners for the Purpose of improving Governance and Service Delivery
Proposed State Bar Rule of Procedure Setting Forth Guidelines for the Imposition and Collection of Monetary Sanctions
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 13-0003 (Ethical Obligations When Departing Firm)
Proposed Changes to State Bar of California Model Rules of Procedure Rule 38.1 and State Bar Rule 3.536(E), Regarding Arbitrator Compensation
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 12-0003 (Attorney Directory and Rating Websites)
2024 Public Comment
State Bar Policy on Law School Name Changes
Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rules Governing Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE)
Proposed Amended Conflict of Interest Code for Designated State Bar Employees
Proposed State Bar Rules and Rule Amendments Related to Grants Administration
Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rules Regarding Pro Bono Practice Program
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Procedure Relating to Early Neutral Evaluation Conferences
Proposed Amendment to State Bar Rule Regarding Schedule of Fees and Deadlines (Rule 1.22)
Clarifying and Corrective Amendments to Multiple State Bar Rules
Proposed Amendments to Rule of Procedure Governing Probation
Proposed Arbitration Advisory Interim No. 2022-0XA (Standard of Review in Fee Disputes Where There Is a Written Fee Agreement)
Proposed Amendments to Attorney Sanction Standards: Effect of Prior Discipline
Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rules Relating to Pro Bono Practice Program
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0003 (Flat Fees and Termination)
Proposed Revised Formal Opinion No. 2021-206 (Colleague Impairment)
Proposed Arbitration Advisory Interim No. 2022-0XB (Determination of a “Reasonable” Fee)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0005 (Conversion Clauses in Contingent Fee Agreements)
Proposed Amendments to Rules of Procedure of the State Bar Regarding Remote Appearances in State Bar Court Proceedings
Proposed New Rule of Procedure Regarding Vexatious Litigants in State Bar Court
Proposed Amendments to Rules Relating to Attorney Reporting and the Timing of the Annual Renewal Cycle
Proposed New Rule 9.33 of the Rules of Court Regarding the Expungement of Nondisbarment Discipline
Proposed Amendments to Rules of the State Bar Regarding the Lawyer Assistance Program
Proposed Amendments to California Rules of Court, Rule 9.23
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0002 (Succession Planning)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 21-0003 (Ethics of In-House Counsel)
Proposed Amendments to Rules of Procedure 5.28 (Computing Time) and 5.127 (Public and Private Reprovals)
Proposed State Bar Rule to Implement Offer and Compromise Program
Proposed New State Bar Policy Regarding the Removal of Nondisbarment Discipline, Administrative Suspensions, and Inactive Enrollments
Proposed Amendments to Rule 2.31 Relating to the Deadline for Submission of the Transfer to Inactive Status Form and the Effective Date of the Transfer
2022 Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0005 (Conversion Clauses in Contingency Fee Agreements)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 19-0004 (Client File Release and Retention Duties)
Elimination of Time Limit on the Validity of a Passing Bar Examination Score
Proposed New Case Processing Standards
Proposed Amendments to Rule 3.513 (Electronic Submissions in Mandatory Fee Arbitration)
Proposed Amendment to Rule 2.11 (Due date and form of payment, licensee fees)
Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rule 7.40 (Assignment of Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commissioners)
Proposed New Rule of Court and Amended Rules of Professional Conduct for the Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP)
California Paraprofessional Program Recommendations
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0004 (Ethical Obligations When Working Remotely)
Ad Hoc Commission on the Discipline System Recommendations
Ad Hoc Commission on the Discipline System Roster
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar, Provisional Licensure Program
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar, Remote Court Proceedings
Proposed Amendment to Rule of Procedure 5.80 (Motion for Entry of Default)
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar, Rule 5.127 (Public and Private Reprovals) and Rule 5.155 (Actions by Review Department)
Proposed Amendments to Rules of Procedure 5.65 (Discovery Procedures), 5.337 (Expedited Proceeding; Limited Discovery), and 5.345 (Hearing Department Procedures)
Proposed Amendments to Rule of Procedure 5.21 (Limitations Period)
Proposed New State Bar Rule, Amended Rule of Professional Conduct, and Amended New Rule of Court for the Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP)
2017 Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 12-0003 (Attorney Directory and Rating Websites) (September 2017)
2017 Standard Setting Study and Related Options
2021 Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 17-0003 (Considers Duty to Prospective Client)
Proposed Revised Rules for Accredited Law Schools
Proposed Arbitration Advisory Interim No. 2020-0XB (Handling Disputes Regarding Costs and Expenses)
Proposed Rule 3.453 Governing Client Security Fund Payment Plans for Nondisbarred and Nonresigned Licensees
Proposed Revisions to State Bar Rule 3.662 Regarding Legal Services Trust Fund Commission Term of Appointments
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 19-0003 (Improper Contract Provisions)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 13-0002 (Client with Diminished Capacity)
Amendment to Rule of Procedure 2201 (Appointment and Authority)
Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rules 3.440, 3.445 (Client Security Fund- Electronic Service and Electronic Signatures)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 19-0003
Proposed Amendment to Rule of Procedure 2201 (Appointment and Authority)
Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rule 7.61 Regarding Voting Procedures of the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0004 (Ethical Obligations When Working Remotely)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 19-0004 (Client File Release and Retention Duties)
Proposed Amendments to 4.160(D)(6), Minimum, Cumulative Five-Year Bar Passage Rate (MPR)
Proposed Amendments to Rule 9.23 of the California Rules of Court
Proposed Technical Amendment to Rule 2.53 Governing Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Requirements for New Licensees
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 17-0003 [Duty to Prospective Client]
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 14-0001 (Colleague Impairment)
Proposed Revised State Bar Rule 4.90 Regarding Testing Accommodations
2023 Public Comment
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of the State Bar Pertaining to Testing Accommodations
Proposed Amendments to Title 4 of the Rules of the State Bar Pertaining to Moral Character
Proposed Rule Revisions Regarding the Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) Program
Proposed New Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3 (Reporting Professional Misconduct)
Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rules Related to Grants Administration
Proposed Amendment Requiring Attorneys to Complete Annual Civility Pledge
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct Addressing Incivility
Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)
Report from the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of the California Bar Exam
Proposed New Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3
Admissions Fee Increase Proposal
Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)
Revised Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct Addressing Incivility
Revised Proposed Amendment Requiring Attorneys to Complete Annual Civility Pledge and New State Bar Rule for Implementation
Revised Proposed Amendments to the Rules of the State Bar Pertaining to Testing Accommodations
Proposed Changes to the Administration of the California Bar Exam
Revised Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rules Related to Grants Administration
Proposal for a Portfolio Bar Examination
Proposed New Rule of Court 9.8.1
Fees Charged to California Accredited Law Schools: Modified Proposal
Update to Rules of Court Re: Fees for Pro Hac Vice and Out-of-State Attorney Arbitration Counsel
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0001 (Lawyer as Expert Witness)
Proposed Amendments to California Rules of Court 9.11 and 9.90
Proposed Amended Conflict of Interest Code for the Board of Trustees
Revised Amendments to Testing Accommodations Rules
Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing Mandatory Fee Arbitration (MFA)
Proposed Amendments to the California Rules of Court and Title 2 of the State Bar Rules Regarding the Rights and Responsibilities of Licensees
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of the State Bar Regarding Moral Character for Out-of-State Attorney Applicants and Examinations (Rules 4.41 and 4.62)
Proposed Amendments to State Bar Rules 7.52 (Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation In-Person Candidate Interviews) and 7.60 (Meeting Requirements)
Proposed Revisions to Rules Pertaining to the Law Office Study Program
2020 Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 14-0002 (Alternative Litigation Funding)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 16-0002 (Data Breaches)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 17-0001 (Advising a Cannabis Business)
Provisional Licensure with a Pathway to Full Licensure
Amendment to Rules of Procedure Governing Fee Arbitration Award Enforcement Proceedings
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 14-0001 (Colleague Impairment)
Amendment to Lawyer Referral Service Proposed Rules of Procedure
Proposed Arbitration Advisory Interim No. 2020-0XA (Awards of Interest under the Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program)
New Provisional Licensure Rule, Rule of Court XX
Proposed New and Amended State Bar Rules of Procedure, Rule 5.137
Proposed Amendments to Rules and Proposed New Rules Regarding Electronic Service and Electronic Signatures
Proposed Amended California Rule of Professional Conduct 5.4 [Financial and Similar Arrangements with Nonlawyers]
Proposed Amendments to Rule of Procedure Regarding Electronic Trial Exhibits
Proposed Amendment to Client Security Fund Rules
Proposed Changes to Elimination of Bias MCLE Rules
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 14-0002 (Alternative Litigation Funding)
Proposed Rules of Procedure Governing the Review Process for Certification, Revocation, and Suspension Decisions Regarding Lawyer Referral Services
Proposed Amended California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.1 (Competence)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 16-0002 (Data Breaches)
Proposed Changes to State Bar Rules Regarding Electronic Service of Process and Videoconference Appearances
2018 Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 14-0003 (Settling Before Withdrawal)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0003 (Flat Fees and Termination)
Proposed Amendments to California Rule of Court, Rules 9.6 and 9.31 and State Bar Rules 2.32 and 2.50
Proposed amendments to Rule 1.7 (Conflicts of Interests: Current Clients) of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California
Proposed amendments to the State Bar rules regarding law corporations
Proposed Amendments to Guideline 6.9 of the Guidelines for Accredited Law School Rules
Proposed Adjustments to Law School Fees
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct (August 2017)
Proposed Amendments to Law School Regulation Rules
2017 Content Validation Study on the California Bar Examination
Proposed Amendments to Admissions Rules re Qualification of Out-of-State Attorney Applicants to File Moral Character Determination Applications
Proposed Amendments to the Law School Regulation Statutes and Rules re Mandatory Accreditation of Law Schools
Proposed Amendments to Standards 2.2, 2.5, 2.6, 2.13, 2.15, and 2.21 of the Standards for Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct
Proposed changes to MCLE Rule 2.54
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 10-0001 (Social Networking)
Proposed modification to the Rule 31 of the State Bar Rules of Procedure for Fee Arbitrations re: subpoenas
Proposed Modification to Rule 30.0 (“Subpoenas”), State Bar of California Model Rules of Procedure for Fee Arbitrations
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 09-0001B (Duty of Confidentiality and Seeking Legal Advice)
Conflict of Interest Code for Designated Employees
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 09-0001A (State Bar Complaint Threats)
Proposed Further Amendments to Rule 5.30, subdivisions (A) and (C), Rules of Procedure of the State Bar-Release for Additional Public Comment
Proposals For Sequence Of Elections Under Revised State Bar Districts Effective January 1, 2012
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 09­0001A (State Bar Complaint Threats)
Proposed changes to MCLE Rule 2.54
Proposed amendments to Rules 5.30 and 2409, Rules of Procedure of the State Bar
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 08 0003 (Serving Subpoenas on Existing Clients of a Law Firm) – 90-day Public Comment Circulation
Proposed Revisions to State Bar Rules Title 6, Division 2, Chapters 1 and 2 regarding State Bar Open Meeting Rules
Proposed Online Posting of Consumer Alert re Attorneys Charged with Significant Loan Modification Misconduct and Petition filed under Business & Professions Code section 6007(c) involving Loan Modific
Provision of Core Curriculum of 25 hours of Free Online MCLE in Legal Ethics
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 10 0002 (Communications with Opposing Counsel’s Implied Consent Under the “No Contact” Rule) – 90-day Public Comment Circulation
Proposed Online Posting of Major Misappropriation Consumer Alert and Petition
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 06-004 (Confidential Information and Unsolicited E-Mail Correspondence) -- Additional 60-day public comment circulation
Proposed administrative amendments to the Admissions Rules
Proposed Expungement of MCLE Inactive Enrollment - Rule of Court 9.6
Amendments to Rule 2.16 of the State Bar Rules, regarding Fee Waivers
Proposed Amendments to Rule 9.21 of the California Rules of Court, Resignation of State Bar Members with Disciplinary Charges Pending
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 08 0001 (Gifts from Clients) – Additional 45-day Public Comment Circulation
Proposed New Rule 6.62 re Location of State Bar Board-Appointed Committee Meetings, Release for Public Comment
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 08-0002
Conflict of Interest Code for Designated Employees (2010) - 30-Day Public Comment
State Bar Rule 6.9 - California Young Lawyer Governor, Proposed Amendment
Proposed amendments to Division 8, Library Requirements contained in the Guidelines for Accredited Law School Rules
Proposed amendments to Division 8, Library Requirements
Proposed Amendments to Standards for Certification in Immigration and Nationality Law.
Proposed revision of Rule 9.30, Rules of Court re Unaccredited Law Schools
Proposed revisions to the Lawyer Referral Service Rules
Proposed amendments to the State Bar Rules by the JNE Process Review Committee
Proposed revisions to State Bar Sample Fee Agreement forms
Seven proposed new or amended Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California developed by the State Bar’s Special Commission for the Revision of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Proposed Law Corporation Rules
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 06‑0004 (Confidential Information and Unsolicited E-Mail Correspondence)
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 08-0001 (Gifts from Clients)
Proposed Amendments to the Standards for Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct
Proposed Amendments to Conflict of Interests for the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California
Proposed Amendments to Standards for Certification in Admiralty and Maritime Law re Alternative to the Examination
Proposed modifications to Rules of Procedure of The State Bar of California
Proposed Revisions to the State Bar’s Rules of Procedure for Fee Arbitrations
90-day public comment on 69 proposed new or amended Rules of Professional Conduct
Redistricting and Reapportionment of State Bar Districts - 45 Day Public Comment Period
Proposed Revisions to the Guidelines and Minimum Standards for the Operation of Mandatory Fee Arbitration Programs
Proposed Revisions to Notice of Your Rights After Fee Arbitration Form
Twelve proposed new or amended Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California
Proposed Revisions to the State Bar’s Model Rules of Procedure for Fee Arbitrations
Proposed Law Corporations Rules
Proposed Limited Liability Partnership Rules
Proposed Amendments to the State Bar Rules, Divisions 1 and 3, Individuals not Members of State Bar
Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 08‑0002 (Confidentiality and Technology)
Proposed Amended Rule of Professional Conduct 7.3 (Reissued)
Proposed Amendments to Rules Authorizing State Bar to Limit Payment to Credit Card and ACH (Electronic Check)
Proposed Amendment to State Bar Rule 3.114 Regarding Specialty Education Noncompliance Fee for Certified Legal Specialists
Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program and Proposed New Fee Mediation Rules
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Rule 1-110 Disciplinary Authority of the State Bar
Rule 1-100
Rule 1-120 Assisting, Soliciting, or Inducing Violations
Rule 1-200 False Statement Regarding Admission to the State Bar
Rule 1-300 Unauthorized Practice of Law
Rule 1-310 Forming a Partnership With a Non-Lawyer
Rule 1-311 Employment of Disbarred, Suspended, Resigned, or Involuntarily Inactive Member
Rule 1-320 Financial Arrangements With Nonlawyers
Rule 1-400 Advertising and Solicitation
Rule 1-500 Agreements Restricting a Member's Practice
Rule 5-320 Contact with Jurors
Rule 5-310 Prohibited Contact with Witnesses
Rule 5-300 Contact with Officials
Rule 5-220 Suppression of Evidence
Rule 5-210 Member as Witness
Rule 5-200 Trial Conduct
Rule 5-120 Trial Publicity
Rule 5-110 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor
Rule 5-100 Threatening Criminal, Administrative, or Disciplinary Charges
Rule 4-400 Gifts From Client
Rule 4-300 Purchasing Property at a Foreclosure or a Sale Subject to Judicial Review
Rule 4-210 Payment of Personal or Business Expenses Incurred by or for a Client
Rule 4-200 Fees for Legal Services
Rule 4-100 Preserving Identity of Funds and Property of a Client
Rule 3-700 Termination of Employment
Rule 3-600 Organization as Client
Rule 3-510 Communication of Settlement Offer
Rule 3-500 Communication
Rule 3-410 Disclosure of Professional Liability Insurance
Rule 3-400 Limiting Liability to Client
Rule 3-320 Relationship With Other Party’s Lawyer
Rule 3-310 Avoiding the Representation of Adverse Interests
Rule 3-300 Avoiding Interests Adverse to a Client
Rule 3-210 Advising the Violation of Law
Rule 3-200 Prohibited Objectives of Employment
Rule 3-120 Sexual Relations With Client
Rule 3-110 Failing to Act Competently
Rule 3-100 Confidential Information of a Client
Rule 2-400 Prohibited Discriminatory Conduct in a Law Practice
Rule 2-300 Sale or Purchase of a Law Practice of a Member, Living or Deceased
Rule 2-200 Financial Arrangements Among Lawyers
Rule 2-100 Communication With a Represented Party
Rule 1-710 Member as Temporary Judge, Referee, or Court-Appointed Arbitrator
Rule 1-700 Member as Candidate for Judicial Office
Rule 1-650 Limited Legal Services Programs
Rule 1-600 Legal Service Programs
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Attorney Misconduct Online Complaint
Cookies are disabled on your browser, please enable cookies and refresh the webpage. Or you can print and mail in the
Complaint Form
Instructions
Your Information
Attorney's Information
Court Information
Attachments
Translation Information
Review
If you are a judicial officer or court staff reporting attorney misconduct, please use this
Discipline Referral Form
If you are an attorney self-reporting, please use these
Self-Reporting Forms
To file an attorney misconduct complaint, please fill out the online form.
Please read the instructions below and then click Next at the bottom of this page to begin the complaint.
For questions call 800-843-9053.
If you are unable to fill out the form online, you may print and mail the completed
Complaint Form
to the State Bar’s Intake Department. Please note that the PDF forms cannot be filled out within the browser. You must download and complete your application or form using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Instructions
Your Information
Please provide your name, address, zip code, email address (if available), and telephone numbers (work, home and cell).   Complaints are presumptively non-public unless charges are filed. So that we may promptly communicate with you, please provide an email address to which you have exclusive access and is not shared with others.
If you are an attorney submitting a complaint about another attorney, please let us know and indicate whether your complaint is about opposing counsel and whether you are filing the complaint based on your duty to report professional misconduct under
Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3
. Additional information regarding filing a complaint under Rule 8.3 is contained in a series of
FAQs
. The State Bar encourages California attorneys to complete the complaint form in English.
Disclosure of Complainant Information
If your complaint proceeds to investigation, in the course of that investigation the State Bar ordinarily will disclose your identity as the complainant to the lawyer who is the subject of the complaint. If you would prefer not to have your identity as the complainant disclosed to the lawyer, please check the appropriate box on the complaint form, and the State Bar will attempt to honor your preference. However, if you are the client of the lawyer complained about, the State Bar will be required to disclose your identity to establish a waiver of attorney-client confidentiality for purposes of the investigation. Also, during the investigation the State Bar will be required to disclose to the lawyer the facts and circumstances being investigated. See Rules of Procedure of the State Bar of California, Rule 2409(a) (“Prior to the filing of a Notice of Disciplinary Charges, the Office of Chief Trial Counsel shall notify the attorney in writing of the allegations forming the basis for the complaint . . . .”). Even if the State Bar does not identify you to the lawyer, these facts and circumstances may enable the respondent to identify you as the complainant. Finally, if the State Bar decides to proceed with filing disciplinary charges, the State Bar likely will be required to disclose your identity as the complainant as part of discovery in connection with a pre-filing settlement conference or with the disciplinary proceeding.
You may submit a complaint anonymously. If you wish to do so, please check the appropriate box on the complaint form. If you submit an “anonymous” complaint but include information that would identify you, it is possible that the State Bar may be required to make the identifying information available to the respondent in connection with the pursuit of any disciplinary charges. In determining whether to report anonymously, please bear in mind the following:
Reporting anonymously may make it more difficult for the State Bar to investigate and pursue disciplinary charges as it will not have a way to contact you to request additional information and, if you are the lawyer’s client, will not be able to establish a waiver of attorney-client confidentiality for purposes of the investigation.
in investigating any complaint, the State Bar will be required to disclose to the respondent the facts and circumstances being investigated. See Rules of Procedure of the State Bar of California, Rule 2409(a) (“Prior to the filing of a Notice of Disciplinary Charges, the Office of Chief Trial Counsel shall notify the attorney in writing of the allegations forming the basis for the complaint . . . .”). Even if the State Bar does not identify you to the lawyer, these facts and circumstances may enable the lawyer to identify you as the complainant.
Attorney’s Information
You may use the State Bar’s
online Attorney Search
to see whether an attorney has a public record of prior discipline in California and whether the attorney is licensed to practice law in California.
If submitting using the online form, in the “Attorney’s Information” section, use the first field to search for the attorney you are complaining about. Enter the bar number or name (last name first name, with no comma between). Do not try to fill in the fields below the search field. They will autopopulate with the results of the search.
If submitting using a PDF or printout of the complaint form, please provide the full name, address and phone number of the attorney you are complaining about.
If you wish to complain about more than one attorney, complete a separate statement of complaint for each attorney.
If any of the blank spaces do not apply to your case, write N/A (Not Applicable). If you do not know the size of the attorney’s law firm, please state “Unknown” for Size of Law Firm.
In the Statement of Complaint section, tell us in your own words what the attorney did or failed to do that you believe may warrant disciplinary action. We need to know the background of your case.
If your complaint is about the attorney you hired, tell us: When did you hire the attorney? What agreement did you make with the attorney? Was the agreement verbal or in writing?
If the complaint is about an attorney who has not represented you, please tell us: What is the connection you have with this attorney? If the attorney is representing a person or entity in a dispute with you, please identify that person or entity and explain the nature of the dispute.
Court Information
If your complaint involves a court case, please provide information (if known) in this section.
Attachments
As part of the online complaint form, you will be limited to 10 attachments, with a maximum of 4 MB each.
Provide any helpful documents. Send only copies and keep the originals. All documents you send, originals or copies, become the property of the State Bar and are subject to future destruction.
If you are complaining about an attorney who represented you, provide copies of written fee agreements, payments or other communications (written or electronic) to the attorney. It may be helpful to provide copies of the front and back sides of all canceled checks and/or copies of receipts showing your payments to the attorney.
If you are complaining about some other attorney, provide any court documents or communications with the attorney which will help to explain your complaint.
If you are represented by counsel in the matter involving the attorney, please provide your attorney’s name, address and telephone number.
If you have already submitted a complaint and would like to add additional supporting documents, please click
here
Translation Information
The State Bar accepts complaints in over 200 languages. If you need translation services to communicate with the State Bar, please let us know by completing the Translation Information section. We will communicate with you through a translation service in the language of your choice. If you have a trusted friend or family member whom you would prefer to provide translation assistance and that person will accept communications from the State Bar in English, please provide their contact information in the Translation Information section.
After You Submit
The State Bar will review and evaluate your complaint to determine whether investigation and prosecution is appropriate. You will be notified of our decision in writing.
This chart explains what happens after you file a complaint.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Important Information You Should Know
The State Bar's Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) reviews complaints of unethical conduct by attorneys licensed to practice in California. Should OCTC prosecute allegations contained in your complaint, you may be required to testify before the State Bar Court in order to prove charges against the attorney(s) involved.
Below is a list of what OCTC can and cannot do when it considers a complaint against an attorney:
OCTC can recommend that an attorney be disciplined only for a violation of the California State Bar Act or the California Rules of Professional Conduct.
OCTC cannot act as your attorney or otherwise help you in legal matters connected with your complaint. For example, OCTC cannot give you legal advice or perform legal service for you (such as pursuing damages or other legal action against the attorney(s) involved in your complaint). You may have legal remedies available to you, but OCTC cannot advise you on your rights in a given situation or what you should do. The State Bar is not a court that can provide civil remedies to you.
OCTC cannot give you the name of a particular attorney to help you with your legal matters. The State Bar does certify lawyer referral services, and a
list of certified lawyer referral services is available on the State Bar's website
or by calling 800-843-9053. The State Bar pamphlet
Finding the Right Lawyer
is also available online.
OCTC can seek discipline for an attorney’s failure to refund an unearned fee or failure to account for fees. Please keep in mind, however, that attorney fees are not refundable simply because you are dissatisfied with your attorney's services. In other words, OCTC cannot decide whether an attorney’s fee is reasonable. If you are disputing your attorney's fees, you may seek to resolve the dispute through a fee arbitration process. Information about
fee arbitration is available online
or by calling 800-843-9053.
OCTC can seek an order of restitution if an attorney has misappropriated client funds. In addition, the State Bar's Client Security Fund (CSF) may reimburse funds dishonestly taken by the attorney (but not simply because the lawyer acted incompetently, committed malpractice or failed to take certain action). CSF cannot process applications for reimbursement until final discipline has been ordered against the attorney by the California Supreme Court. An
application for reimbursement from CSF is available online
or by calling 800-843-9053.
If you have further questions, you may call the call center at 800-843-9053. Also, the State Bar pamphlet
Having A Problem With Your Lawyer is available online
. The pamphlet has helpful answers to questions about dealing with an attorney.
If you are unable to fill out the form online, you may print and mail the
Complaint Form
to the State Bar’s Intake Department.
1. Your Information
2. Attorney's Information
First Name
Last Name
Licensee No
3. Related Court Case Information (If known)
If your complaint involves a court case, answer the following, if known:
4. Attachments
Attach copies of pertinent documents such as a copy of the fee agreement, cancelled checks or receipts, and relevant correspondence or other communications.
The maximum number of files allowed to attach are 10 files.
The maximum file size allowed is 4 MB and the following file extensions can be attached: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm, .jpg, .jpeg, .tif, .png, .txt, .csv and .msg.
No files attached
5. Translation Information
The State Bar’s mission is to protect complainants regardless of their immigration status. Complainants who are unable to complete this form due to disability, language restrictions or other circumstances may obtain help by calling the complaint line at 800-843-9053.
Review Complaint
1. Your Contact Information
Title
Middle Name
First Name
Last Name
Address 1
Address 2
City
State
ZIP Code
Email
Home Phone
Work Phone
Cell Phone
3. Related Court Case Information
Name of Court
Case Name
Case Number
Approx. date case was filed
Size of law firm
If you are not a party to this case, what is your connection with it? Explain briefly.
4. Attachments
No files attached
5. Translation Information
Not Applicable
The State Bar accepts complaints in over 200 languages. If you need translation services to communicate with the State Bar, please let us know by completing this section of the complaint form. We will communicate with you through a translation service in the language of your choice. Do you need translation services?
Yes
No
Language in which you need formal translation
6. Submission
Your complaint is submitted when you click on the "Submit" button. You will have the option to print your complaint after you click "Submit". If you provide an email address, you will also receive an email confirmation that will enable you to download or print the submitted complaint.
Complaints submitted on business days after 4:30 pm PT, on weekends, or on holidays, will be deemed received on the next business day.
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