Miscellaneous Disciplinary Provisions - Attorneys - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 6090.5

This law says that a lawyer can face serious consequences like getting suspended, disbarred, or other disciplinary actions if they make any deals that hide their misconduct from the State Bar. This includes trying to stop someone from reporting their bad behavior, convincing someone to withdraw a complaint, or cooperate with an investigation into their misconduct. It also prohibits attempts to hide any records from the State Bar's examination, regardless of whether a civil lawsuit has started or been resolved.

(a) It is cause for suspension, disbarment, or other discipline for any licensee, whether acting on their own behalf or on behalf of someone else, whether or not in the context of litigation to solicit, agree, or seek agreement, that:

(1) Misconduct or the terms of a settlement of a claim for misconduct shall not be reported to the State Bar.

(2) A complainant shall withdraw a disciplinary complaint or shall not cooperate with the investigation or prosecution conducted by the State Bar.

(3) The record of any action or proceeding shall be sealed from review by the State Bar.

(b) This section applies to all agreements or attempts to seek agreements, irrespective of the commencement or settlement of a civil action.

lawyer discipline misconduct reporting State Bar reporting

Section § 6090.6

This section allows the State Bar to access nonpublic court records related to the performance of its members during disciplinary proceedings. These records remain confidential and cannot be disclosed under state law, such as the California Public Records Act. The State Bar can access these records even if they are sealed, except for those sealed by specific sections of the Penal Code. If the State Bar intends to disclose any records, they must notify the involved parties first. Those parties have 10 days to oppose the disclosure and request a court hearing.

In a disciplinary proceeding, the State Bar shall have access, on an ex parte basis, to all nonpublic court records relevant to the competence or performance of its licensees, provided that these records shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed pursuant to any state law, including, but not limited to, the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code). This access, for investigation and enforcement purposes, shall not be limited by any court order sealing those records, except a court order authorized by Section 851.6, 851.7, 851.8, or 851.85 of the Penal Code. The State Bar may disclose publicly the nature and content of those records, including sealed records other than those specified immediately above in this section, after notice of intention to disclose all or a part of the records has been given to the parties in the underlying action. A party to the underlying action who would be adversely affected by the disclosure may serve notice on the State Bar within 10 days of receipt of the notice of intention to disclose the records that it opposes the disclosure and will seek a hearing in the court of competent jurisdiction on an expedited basis.

State Bar access nonpublic court records disciplinary proceeding

Section § 6090.8

If a lawyer from the State Bar of California knows another lawyer has been involved in serious crimes like seditious conspiracy, treason, or rebellion, they must report it to the State Bar, unless the information is protected by attorney-client privilege or learned through certain professional programs. "Knows" means the lawyer actually knows what's going on, and this can be determined from the situation. However, if a lawyer reports something with the intention of harassing or deterring another lawyer from practicing law properly, it's considered misconduct. The State Bar can change professional conduct rules with approval from the Supreme Court to enforce this law.

(a)

(1) A licensee of the State Bar who knows that another licensee has conspired to engage in or has engaged in any of the following shall inform the State Bar:

(A) Seditious conspiracy as prohibited under Section 2384 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

(B) Treason as prohibited under Section 37 of the Penal Code or Section 2381 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

(C) Rebellion or insurrection as prohibited under Section 2383 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

(2) For the purpose of this subdivision, “knows” means actual knowledge of the fact in question. A licensee’s knowledge may be inferred from circumstances.

(b) This section does not require disclosure of information otherwise protected by the attorney-client privilege or information gained by a licensee while participating in the Attorney Diversion and Assistance Program.

(c) A licensee of the State Bar who makes a complaint to the State Bar pursuant to subdivision (a) with the intent to intimidate, harass, or otherwise deter a fellow licensee from engaging in the lawful practice of law shall be deemed to have committed professional misconduct.

(d) The board may amend the Rules of Professional Conduct, and shall propose those amendments to the Supreme Court for approval, to implement this section.

reporting requirement State Bar licensee seditious conspiracy

Section § 6091

If a client suspects their attorney is mishandling their trust fund, they can report it to the State Bar, which will investigate and possibly audit the situation. Additionally, clients can request a detailed account statement from their attorney, showing all financial activities involving their trust funds, and the attorney must provide this within 10 days. Clients can only request these statements once every 30 days unless they have filed a complaint and the State Bar deems more statements are necessary.

If a client files a complaint with the State Bar alleging that his or her trust fund is being mishandled, the State Bar shall investigate and may require an audit if it determines that circumstances warrant.

At the client’s written request, the attorney shall furnish the client with a complete statement of the funds received and disbursed and any charges upon the trust account, within 10 calendar days after receipt of the request. Such requests may not be made more often than once each 30 days unless a client files a complaint with the State Bar and the State Bar determines that more statements are warranted.

client trust fund State Bar investigation trust fund mishandling

Section § 6091.1

This law focuses on preventing and addressing issues with attorney trust accounts, specifically overdrafts and misuse of funds. Banks holding these accounts must report to the State Bar if a check is presented with insufficient funds, even if it is eventually paid. Reports must include specific details about the transaction and must be made promptly. Attorneys in California are considered to have agreed to these reporting rules as part of their license to practice. Financial institutions can charge lawyers for the costs of making these reports.

(a) The Legislature finds that overdrafts and misappropriations from attorney trust accounts are serious problems, and determines that it is in the public interest to ensure prompt detection and investigation of instances involving overdrafts and misappropriations from attorney trust accounts.

A financial institution, including any branch, which is a depository for attorney trust accounts under subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 6211, shall report to the State Bar in the event any properly payable instrument is presented against an attorney trust account containing insufficient funds, irrespective of whether or not the instrument is honored.

(b) All reports made by the financial institution shall be in the following format:

(1) In the case of a dishonored instrument, the report shall be identical to the overdraft notice customarily forwarded to the depositor, and shall include a copy of the dishonored instrument, if such a copy is normally provided to depositors.

(2) In the case of instruments that are presented against insufficient funds but which instruments are honored, the report shall identify the financial institution, the attorney or law firm, the account number, the date of presentation for payment, and the date paid, as well as the amount of overdraft created thereby. These reports shall be made simultaneously with, and within the time provided by law for notice of dishonor, if any. If an instrument presented against insufficient funds is honored, then the report shall be made within five banking days of the date of presentation for payment against insufficient funds.

(c) Every attorney practicing or admitted to practice in this state shall, as a condition thereof, be conclusively deemed to have consented to the reporting and production requirements of this section.

(d) Nothing in this section shall preclude a financial institution from charging an attorney or law firm for the reasonable cost of producing the reports and records required by subdivisions (a) and (b).

attorney trust accounts overdraft detection misappropriation

Section § 6091.2

This law section defines specific terms used in attorney trust account regulations. It clarifies that a 'financial institution' includes banks and similar entities that hold these trust accounts. 'Properly payable' refers to checks or similar payment requests that meet state laws for payment processing. Lastly, 'notice of dishonor' is a required notification from a financial institution when a payment instrument is not honored or processed.

As used in Section 6091.1:

(a) “Financial institution” means a bank, savings and loan, or other financial institution serving as a depository for attorney trust accounts under subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 6211.

(b) “Properly payable” means an instrument that, if presented in the normal course of business, is in a form requiring payment under the laws of this state.

(c) “Notice of dishonor” means the notice that a financial institution is required to give, under the laws of this state, upon presentation of an instrument that the institution dishonors.

attorney trust accounts financial institution bank depository

Section § 6091.3

Starting January 1, 2026, any new client trust accounts tied to California attorneys must have their State Bar license numbers recorded by the bank. Each year by March 1, the banks must electronically share details like the account balance, attorney's license number, and other account info with the State Bar. The State Bar must create a standard form for attorneys to give this information to their banks. By July 1, 2026, attorneys need to provide these details to their banks, who will then update their records. This law adds to, but does not change, existing financial reporting rules. Banks are not liable for issues arising from following these rules, and the State Bar must report annually on compliance to certain committees.

(a) Commencing January 1, 2026, upon the establishment of a new client trust account associated with an attorney licensed to practice in California, the financial institution shall collect and retain within its books and records an attorney’s State Bar license number where the number is made available to the financial institution by the attorney associated with the client trust account in the format described in subdivision (c).

(b) On or before March 1, 2026, and annually on or before March 1 thereafter, a financial institution shall electronically provide via secure file transport protocol or another format mutually acceptable to the financial institution and the State Bar, the following for every client trust account actually known to the financial institution associated with an attorney’s State Bar license number:

(1) The name of the financial institution in which the client trust account is held.

(2) The name of the attorney or law firm associated with the client trust account.

(3) The account number of the client trust account.

(4) The attorney’s State Bar license number associated with the trust account.

(5) The trust account balance as of December 31 of the previous year. If December 31 is a holiday, the account balance as of the preceding business day may be reported.

(c) On or before January 1, 2026, the State Bar shall create a standard form for use by an attorney licensed to practice in California wherein the attorney shall submit their State Bar license number and the name and account number of all applicable associated client trust accounts to a financial institution pursuant to subdivision (d).

(d) On or before July 1, 2026, the State Bar shall require an attorney licensed to practice in California to furnish their State Bar license number to the financial institution where the attorney associated with the client trust account maintains the account. If the client trust account is maintained by a law firm, the law firm shall designate one of its members to provide the member’s State Bar license number. The attorney licensed to practice in California shall submit the completed form to satisfy the requirements in this subdivision to the financial institution pursuant to Section 684.115 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(e) A financial institution receiving a completed form containing a State Bar license number pursuant to subdivision (d) shall, in reliance on the license number, incorporate into its books and records the attorney’s State Bar license number for known client trust accounts where the license number was previously not collected.

(f) This section is intended to supplement, and not eliminate nor replace, the remittance, reporting, and other obligations of a financial institution under Section 6212, which shall remain in full force and effect. This section does not affect the obligations of an attorney or a law firm relating to maintaining an interest-bearing IOLTA account under Section 6211, which shall remain in full force and effect.

(g) No action shall lie against a financial institution or any of its officers, directors, or employees relating to their discharge of, or their alleged failure to discharge, any obligation under this section.

(h) On or before November 30, 2026, and annually on or before November 30 thereafter, the State Bar shall submit to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and the Senate Committee on Judiciary a report detailing the number of findings, mandatory corrective actions, and referrals for possible discipline that the State Bar made in the prior fiscal year pertaining to client trust accounts. The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

client trust account State Bar license number financial institution

Section § 6091.4

This law states that attorneys, law firms, and legal corporations must provide information, such as client files and financial records, to the State Bar during a compliance review or investigation. Providing these documents does not break attorney-client confidentiality or other legal protections. The information remains confidential unless the State Bar needs to disclose it for disciplinary actions. However, these records are protected from public disclosure and are not subject to laws like the California Public Records Act.

(a) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 6068, Article 3 (commencing with Section 950) of Chapter 4 of Division 8 of the Evidence Code, the Attorney Work Product doctrine as restated in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 2018.010) of Title 4 of Part 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or any other law, licensees of the State Bar, limited liability partnerships, or law corporations registered with the State Bar shall, pursuant to a request made as part of a compliance review or investigative audit being conducted by or at the direction of the State Bar, provide to the State Bar or its agents all requested information, records, or communications, including, but not limited to, account journals, client ledgers, fee agreements, client files, and billing statements related to the receipt, holding, and disbursement of funds, securities, or other property in which the licensee, limited liability partnership, or law corporation knows or reasonably should know a client or other person has an interest.

(b) By providing any information, records, or communications under subdivision (a), an attorney does not violate, waive, or extinguish the duty to maintain the confidence and preserve the secrets of their client under subdivision (e) of Section 6068, the Lawyer-Client Privilege under Article 3 (commencing with Section 950) of Chapter 4 of Division 8 of the Evidence Code, the Attorney Work Product doctrine as restated in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 2018.010) of Title 4 of Part 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or the protections of any other rule or law related to attorney work product or the attorney-client privilege.

(c) Any information, records, or communications provided under subdivision (a) shall remain confidential unless disclosure by the State Bar or its agents is required to fulfill its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions, including, but not limited to, investigation or formal proceedings concerning alleged misconduct of a licensee, limited liability partnership, or law corporation or the disclosure of alleged misconduct under Section 6044.5. In no event shall disclosure by the State Bar or its agents be deemed a waiver of the confidential character of the information for any other purpose nor shall the disclosing licensee be considered in violation of any of the duties listed in subdivision (b) as related to the disclosure of such items by the State Bar or its agents.

(d) Any information, records, or communications provided under subdivision (a) shall not be disclosed pursuant to any state law, including but not limited to, the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code).

State Bar compliance review investigative audit attorney-client confidentiality

Section § 6092

This law lets the State Bar use consultants and volunteers to help figure out how to assess and boost the skills and abilities of lawyers.

The State Bar may engage the services of consultants and an unpaid volunteer peer review committee and undertake any other steps that may be appropriate for devising methods for determining and improving attorney competence.

State Bar consultants volunteer peer review

Section § 6092.5

The State Bar of California has several responsibilities. It must quickly inform the person who filed a complaint about what happens with it. If a lawyer is suspended, disbarred, or reinstated, they notify the local judge, the local bar association, and other jurisdictions where the lawyer practices. When a lawyer is convicted, they send the details to relevant disciplinary bodies. They keep permanent disciplinary records and gather statistics to help manage the system. They follow the California Supreme Court's orders on expunging records and conducting investigations. They also inform the public and potential complainants about how the disciplinary system works and can make agreements with lawyers instead of pursuing formal disciplinary actions.

In addition to any other duties specified by law, the State Bar shall do all of the following:

(a) Promptly notify the complainant of the disposition of each matter.

(b) Notify all of the following of a lawyer’s involuntary enrollment as an inactive licensee and termination of that enrollment, or any suspension or disbarment, and the reinstatement to active license of a suspended or disbarred attorney:

(1) The presiding judge of the superior court in the county where the attorney most recently maintained an office for the practice of law, with a request that the judge notify the judges in the county.

(2) The local bar association, if there is one, in the county or area where the attorney most recently maintained an office for the practice of law.

(3) The appropriate disciplinary authority in any other jurisdiction where the attorney is admitted to practice.

(c) Upon receipt of the certified copy of the record of conviction of a lawyer, as provided by subdivision (c) of Section 6101, promptly forward a certified copy of the judgment of conviction to the disciplinary agency in each jurisdiction in which the lawyer is admitted.

(d) Maintain permanent records of discipline and other matters within its jurisdiction, and compile statistics to aid in the administration of the system, including, but not limited to, a single log of all complaints received, investigative files, statistical summaries of docket processing and case dispositions, transcripts of all proceedings which have been transcribed, and other records as the State Bar or court require to be maintained.

(e) Expunge records of the State Bar as directed by the California Supreme Court.

(f) Pursuant to directions from the California Supreme Court, undertake whatever investigations are assigned to it.

(g) Provide information to prospective complainants regarding the nature and procedures of the disciplinary system, the criteria for prosecution of disciplinary complaints, the client security fund, and fee arbitration procedures.

(h) Inform the public, local bar associations and other organizations, and any other interested parties about the work of the State Bar and the right of all persons to make a complaint.

(i) Make agreements with respondents in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, regarding conditions of practice, further legal education, or other matters. These agreements may be used by the State Bar in any subsequent proceeding involving the lawyer.

State Bar duties complaint notification lawyer suspension

Section § 6093

This section explains that when a lawyer agrees to probation with the State Bar Court, any conditions that support the probation's goals can be applied. If a lawyer breaks these conditions, it can lead to the end of their probation and possibly further penalties. Any hearings to revoke probation will happen quickly, and the proof needed is simply that it's more likely than not that the violation occurred.

(a) Whenever probation is imposed by the State Bar Court or the Office of Trial Counsel with the agreement of the respondent, any conditions may be imposed which will reasonably serve the purposes of the probation.

(b) Violation of a condition of probation constitutes cause for revocation of any probation then pending, and may constitute cause for discipline.

(c) Proceedings to revoke probation shall be expedited. The standard of proof is the preponderance of the evidence.

probation conditions State Bar Court lawyer discipline

Section § 6093.5

If you file a complaint with the State Bar, they are obligated to inform you about what’s happening with your case. This means telling you in writing what they decide about your complaint and why. If the lawyer's response is the reason your complaint is dismissed, you'll get a written summary of that response. They must acknowledge receiving your complaint within two weeks. You can also choose someone else to receive all this information on your behalf, on top of any elected official you’ve designated.

Upon request, the State Bar shall notify a complainant of the status of his or her complaint and shall provide him or her with a written summary of any response by the attorney to his or her complaint if the response was the basis for dismissal of the complaint. A complainant shall be notified in writing of the disposition of his or her complaint, and of the reasons for the disposition.

Receipt of a written complaint shall be acknowledged by the State Bar within two weeks of its receipt.

A complainant may also designate another person as his or her agent to receive copies of the information to which he or she is entitled pursuant to this section. This is in addition to any designation by a complainant of one of his or her elected representatives to receive the information.

State Bar notifications complaint status complaint dismissal

Section § 6094

This law makes clear that communications to the State Bar about lawyer misconduct, competence, or disability are protected, meaning you can't be sued for making them. It confirms that these communications, as well as testimony in related investigations, have legal protection. The State Bar follows the same liability rules as other public entities. Additionally, if necessary, a court can grant immunity from criminal charges to someone testifying in these proceedings, ensuring they can speak freely without risking their own prosecution.

(a) Communications to the State Bar relating to lawyer misconduct or disability or competence, or any communication related to an investigation or proceeding and testimony given in the proceeding are privileged, and no lawsuit predicated thereon may be instituted against any person. The State Bar and officers and employees are subject to the rules governing liability of public entities, officers, and employees specified in Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code.

Nothing in this subdivision limits or alters the privileges accorded communications to the State Bar or testimony given in investigations or proceedings conducted by it or the immunities accorded complainants, informants, witnesses, the State Bar, its officers, and employees as existed prior to the enactment of this section. This subdivision does not constitute a change in, but is cumulative with the existing law.

(b) Upon application by the State Bar and notice to the appropriate prosecuting authority, the superior court may grant immunity from criminal prosecution to a witness in any State Bar proceeding.

lawyer misconduct State Bar communications privileged communication

Section § 6094.5

This section outlines the policies and goals of the California State Bar for handling complaints about attorney misconduct. Initially, complaints should be addressed within six months, or twelve for more complex cases. By late 2022, the State Bar needs to propose new case handling standards, considering various factors like public protection and complexity. These standards aim to quickly resolve cases and maintain small backlogs. An analysis of these new standards will be shared with the Legislative Analyst's Office, which will report findings to the Senate and Assembly Judiciary Committees. The section excludes certain matters like non-attorney practice and criminal convictions from the general timeline goals. For criminal convictions, the State Bar must report to the Supreme Court promptly. Any formal charges against an attorney become public records. Lastly, the State Bar must respond to inquiries about current cases and attorney discipline status, while ensuring information is not used for soliciting business.

(a) It is the goal and policy of the State Bar to ensure that matters are handled competently, accurately, and timely. Until processing goals are established pursuant to subdivision (b) and codified in statute, the goal and policy of the State Bar is to dismiss a complaint, admonish the attorney, or have the Office of Chief Trial Counsel file formal charges within six months after it receives a complaint alleging attorney misconduct. As to complaints designated as complicated matters by the Chief Trial Counsel, it shall be the goal and policy of the State Bar to dismiss a complaint, admonish the attorney or have the Office of Chief Trial Counsel file formal charges within 12 months after it receives a complaint alleging attorney misconduct.

(b) No later than October 31, 2022, the State Bar shall propose case processing standards for competently, accurately, and timely resolving cases within the Office of Chief Trial Counsel.

(1) The case processing standards shall take into account all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the mechanics of the discipline process, the risk to public protection, including multiple complaints against the same attorney, reasonable expectations of the public for resolution of complaints, and the complexity of cases. The case processing standards shall be based on and reflect all of the following:

(A) A review of case processing standards in attorney discipline systems in at least five other states, including large and small jurisdictions, with the goal of reviewing jurisdictions that have strong and effective discipline systems that protect the public.

(B) Consultation with state and national experts on attorney discipline.

(C) Reports from the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

(D) Reports from the California State Auditor.

(2) The State Bar shall conduct an analysis of the data collected in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of paragraph (1) and develop proposed case processing standards that reflect the goal of resolving attorney discipline cases in a timely, effective, and efficient manner while having small backlogs of attorney discipline cases and best protecting the public.

(3) Goals for case processing and disposition that are intended to encourage the prompt disposition of matters and apply to the overall inventory of matters of the type specified in subdivision (b) are not meant to create deadlines for individual cases, are not jurisdictional, and shall not serve as a bar or defense to any disciplinary investigation or proceeding.

(4) The analysis shall include staffing requirements for the Office of Chief Trial Counsel to achieve the case processing goals described in this paragraph.

(5) The State Bar shall provide its analysis and recommendations to the Legislative Analyst’s Office for review. The Legislative Analyst’s Office shall report to the Senate and Assembly Judiciary Committees on its review of the State Bar’s proposal. The State Bar shall provide the Legislative Analyst’s Office with any available information to assist the Legislative Analyst’s Office in its review.

(6) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would codify in statute case processing goals for the State Bar’s discipline system based on the State Bar’s proposal and the Legislative Analyst’s Office review of that proposal to improve the effectiveness of the State Bar’s attorney discipline system, best protect the public, and remain in place for an extended period of time to allow for adequate oversight of the State Bar and its performance over time.

(c) The case processing goals described in subdivision (a) shall not apply to the following matters: Nonattorney Unauthorized Practice of Law (NA-UPL), Section 6007 matters, moral character matters, resignations with charges pending, mini-reinstatements, and criminal conviction matters.

(d) To ensure that criminal conviction matters are handled competently, accurately, and timely, the State Bar shall report on its compliance with the requirement of Section 6101 to transmit, within 30 days of receipt, the record of any conviction which involves or may involve moral turpitude to the Supreme Court with such other records and information as may be appropriate to establish the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction.

(e) Consistent with Section 6026.11, a notice of disciplinary charges is a public record when filed.

(f) The State Bar, subject to its record retention policy, shall respond within a reasonable time to inquiries as to the status of pending disciplinary cases in which a notice to show cause has been filed, or as to public discipline that has been imposed upon an attorney in California, or to the extent known by the agency, elsewhere, and, to the extent such information is known to the agency, all criminal cases in which an indictment or information has been brought charging a felony against an attorney or an attorney has been convicted of a felony, or convicted of any misdemeanor committed in the course of the practice of law or in any manner such that a client of the attorney was the victim, or any felony or misdemeanor, a necessary element of which, as determined by the statutory or common law definition of the crime, involves improper conduct of an attorney, including interference with the administration of justice, running and capping, false swearing, misrepresentation, fraud, deceit, bribery, extortion, misappropriation, theft, dishonesty or other moral turpitude, or an attempt of a conspiracy or solicitation of another to commit such a crime. Such information acquired from the State Bar under this section shall not be used by an attorney to solicit business. The State Bar shall adopt regulations to carry out the purposes of this subdivision.

attorney misconduct complaint handling State Bar policy

Section § 6095

The California State Bar must hold at least two public meetings each year, one in southern California and one in northern California, to discuss the rules about disciplining attorneys, their competence, and how they are admitted to practice. Additionally, the State Bar must report annually to the state's Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees about any criminal or disciplinary actions involving attorneys accused of committing felonies, as long as they know about these cases.

(a) The State Bar shall annually hold at least two public hearings, one in southern California and one in northern California, to hear proposals on bar disciplinary procedures, attorney competency, and admissions procedures.

(b) To the extent the information is known to the State Bar, it shall report annually to the Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees concerning the judicial or disciplinary disposition of all criminal or disciplinary proceedings involving the allegation of the commission of a felony by an attorney.

State Bar public hearings attorney disciplinary procedures attorney competency

Section § 6095.1

Starting April 1, 2000, until March 31, 2001, the State Bar had to gather data on complaints against lawyers, detailing who these lawyers were—whether solo practitioners or part of small or large firms. They needed to see which complaints were investigated and prosecuted, and how the cases concluded. A 'small firm' means up to 10 attorneys. By June 30, 2001, they had to report to legislative committees about whether solo or small firm attorneys face disciplinary actions more often compared to big firm lawyers and propose any needed changes to ensure fairness. Even after this report, the Bar should keep gathering and sharing these statistics. The goal is fairness in handling all complaints, with no unfair targeting of smaller practice lawyers unless the stats show it's justified. Also, the report can't be used as a lawyer's defense in disciplinary actions.

(a) Beginning on April 1, 2000, and through March 31, 2001, the State Bar shall compile statistics indicating the number of complaints against attorneys, broken down to reflect the percentage of complaints brought against attorneys practicing as solo practitioners, in small law firms or partnerships, and in large law firms. The State Bar shall also compile statistics indicating the percentage of complaints that are investigated, the percentage of complaints that are prosecuted, and the outcomes of those prosecutions against solo practitioners, attorneys practicing in small law firms or partnerships, and attorneys practicing in large law firms. For the purposes of the study, agreements in lieu of discipline shall not be counted as prosecutions. Practicing attorneys shall provide any information that is requested by the bar deemed necessary for the purpose of compiling the statistics. For purposes of this section, “small law firm” means a firm, partnership, association, corporation, or limited liability partnership that includes 10 or fewer attorneys.

(b) On or before June 30, 2001, the State Bar shall issue a written report to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and the Assembly Committee on Judiciary on procedures used in the disciplinary process to ensure that resources of the State Bar are used fairly and equitably in the investigation and prosecution of complaints against attorneys. In particular, the report shall focus on whether disciplinary proceedings are brought in disproportionate numbers against attorneys practicing as solo practitioners or in small law firms or partnerships, as compared to proceedings brought against attorneys practicing in large law firms. The report shall also describe any procedures in place or under consideration to correct any institutional bias and shall include a discussion of, and recommendations regarding, any additional changes to the discipline process that would make it more equitable. In particular, the State Bar shall consider disciplinary avenues other than the investigation and prosecution of complaints against attorneys. After issuing the report, the State Bar shall continue to compile and maintain statistics pursuant to subdivision (a), and shall make those statistics available to the public upon request.

(c) Procedures used in the disciplinary process shall ensure that resources of the State Bar are used fairly and equitably in the investigation and prosecution of complaints against all attorneys. Disciplinary proceedings shall not be brought in disproportionate numbers against attorneys practicing as solo practitioners or in small law firms or partnerships, as compared to proceedings brought against attorneys practicing in large law firms, unless the number of complaints against solo practitioners, or attorneys practicing in small law firms or partnerships, is commensurate with the higher number of disciplinary proceedings.

(d) The report of the State Bar prepared pursuant to this section shall not be used as a defense or mitigating factor in any disciplinary proceeding against an attorney.

state bar statistics attorney complaints solo practitioners

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