BREAKING: Today, the
#StateBarCA
announced the filing of a notice of disciplinary charges against attorney John Charles Eastman [
#193726
], arising from allegations re: Eastman’s involvement in obstruction of the 2020 presidential election. News:
To all applicants of the July 2019 California Bar Exam: yes, the email you received this evening regarding bar exam topics is authentic. This account has not been hacked. The email was sent as soon as the error became apparent. We are working to confirm an official statement.
We emailed all applicants taking the July 2019 Bar Exam tonight about an inadvertent release of topics that occurred on Thursday. The error was discovered today. We apologize for the error and the confusion this may cause.
Congratulations to all applicants who passed the Oct 2020
#CAbarexam
. We commend you for your hard work and dedication and look forward to welcoming you to the profession soon!
#YouMadeIt
Today the
#StateBarCA
released the results of the
#Octbarexam
& announced that 5,292 people (60.7 percent of applicants) passed the General Bar Exam. The Oct 2020 General Bar Exam pass rate is the highest in more than a decade. News release:
Today we honor
@HabenGirma
. As the first deaf-blind person to graduate from
@Harvard_Law
, Ms. Girma has dedicated her career to advancing disability justice & inclusion.
#WomensHistoryMonth
Check out her interview on the Remarkable People podcast:
The
#StateBarCA
congratulates 17-year-old Peter Park on recently passing the
#CABarExam
and being sworn in as an attorney in our state; we wish him tremendous success as he embarks on his promising legal career. Read more:
#BarExamChamps
Today the State Bar of California released the results of the July 2019 California Bar Exam, analyses of those results, and FAQ’s. Congratulations to those who passed! Read the full release:
#BarExam
#CABarExam
The
#StateBarCA
Court recommends disbarment of licensee John Charles Eastman. He will be placed on involuntary inactive status in the coming days while the California Supreme Court reviews the matter. Read News Release:
The results for the Oct 2020 bar exam will be released at 6:00 p.m. on January 8. A new set of post exam FAQs related to Chapter 6 Notice, guidelines, administrative hearing procedures, and a decision matrix are now posted. We expect to add questions on related topics soon.
The CA Commission on Judicial Performance holds its annual public meeting via Zoom on Friday, 10/15, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Public comments must be submitted in advance. More info and link to register to attend:
The Supreme Court will issue a final determination on the status of the fall 2020 bar examination the week of July 13. Registered applicants are advised to check the Admissions webpage or the Applicant Portal for announcements regarding the decision.
CA Bar Exam applicants: The release of general topics affects the CA exam only. The National Conference of Bar Examiners has confirmed that the national component is not impacted by the course of action that the State Bar of CA has taken.
Too many Californians are unable to access basic legal services. Licensing a new group of legal practitioners can help us close the justice gap. Our new consumer website breaks down the
#StateBarCA
proposal. Now available in Spanish.
#A2J
#AccessToJustice
Today the
#StateBarCA
announced the results of the July 2023
#CABarExam
. 3,888 people passed the General Bar Exam. Congrats to the successful applicants! We invite you to use the hashtag
#BarExamChamps
when sharing the good news! News release:
Too many Californians are unable to access basic legal services. Licensing a new group of legal practitioners can help us close the justice gap. Our new consumer website breaks down the
#StateBarCA
proposal. Now available in Spanish. Please share!
#A2J
#AccessToJustice
As we continue celebrating
#HispanicHeritageMonth
, today we honor Judge Frances Muñoz, the first Latina judge in California, for her leadership and public service.
About 1 in 5 adults suffers from depression; rates among lawyers are 3–4 times higher. Today is
#NationalDepressionScreeningDay
. The
#LawyerAssistanceProgram
reminds you that depression is treatable. Take our self-assessment & contact LAP for help getting diagnosis & treatment:
Today the
#StateBarCA
announced the results of the July 2021
#CABarExam
. 3,995 people (53 percent of applicants) passed the General Bar Exam. Congrats to the successful applicants! News release:
CA Attorneys: Effective today, 8/1, a CA attorney is required to report the misconduct of another CA attorney to the
#StateBarCA
or a tribunal. See our website for more info including reporting requirements & methods, FAQs, and new upcoming MCLE webinars:
While we hope July CA Bar Exam takers do not decide to withdraw at this late stage, we will honor such requests & furnish 100% refunds for requests received 7/27-7/30, 8:30 a.m. Applicants wishing to withdraw email admissions
@calbar
.ca.gov.
Today,
@StateBarCA
announced plans to offer a free online learning program designed to help applicants navigate the challenges they face when preparing for the
#cabarexam
. Registration deadline to all October
#cabarexam
registrants is 7/31. Read the full news release:
Did you take the California Bar Exam? Decompress and get back on track with a healthy diet, exercise, and at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Talk to a professional about improving your self-care. Contact the Lawyer Assistance Program for two free individual sessions.
Chico attorney Sergio Garcia, the first undocumented person to pass the CA State Bar, earns US citizenship after 25 years in CA! Congratulations! 👏👏🏽👏🏾👏🏿
#legaldiversity
#Kudos
California Disaster Legal Services offers free legal & financial help to victims & survivors of California wildfires. If you need help with housing, claims assistance, government programs, unemployment benefits, and more, or would like to volunteer, please visit:
The
#StateBarCA
Office of Chief Trial Counsel announced today, it has filed Notices of Disciplinary Charges against former Girardi Keese law firm attorneys David Richard Lira and Keith David Griffin. Read the full release:
#StateBarCA
has updated information about the expanded Provisional Licensure Program. The amended rule includes those who scored 1390 or higher on any
#CAbarexam
between July 2015 & Feb 2020. Applications available no later than 3/1. . Check out our FAQs.
On May 5,the State Bar underwent a “phishing attack.” IT staff are working to resolve ASAP. If you receive suspicious email that appears to be a reply from a calbar address, do not click links or open attachments and please delete.
On June 5, Mary Orozco, the first Latina to pass the California Bar, passed away at age 90. The State Bar honors her courage & contributions to the profession & sends condolences to family, friends & colleagues.
#womeninlaw
#legaldiversity
Congratulations to all applicants who passed the Feb 2020 California Bar Exam & Attorney’s Exam. We commend you for your hard work and dedication!
#CAbarexam
#YouMadeIt
Today the
#StateBarCA
released the results of the
#Febbarexam
and announced that 1,151 people (37.2 percent of applicants) passed the General Bar Exam. Congrats to the successful applicants! News release:
Law students, are you looking for a judgement-free space to help you cope with these especially challenging times? Be sure to use all the resources available to you—The Lawyer Assistance Program offers weekly online support groups with a mental health professional and more:
The
#StateBarCA
Provisional Licensure Working Group meeting on Nov 20 will include limited time for public comment. You may also email written comments by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov 17, to ProvisionalLicensure
@calbar
.ca.gov. View the agenda:
The State Bar issues the first-ever California Justice Gap Study, highlighting the immense gulf between civil legal needs & help received. Read the findings & recommendations to reduce the justice gap in CA.
#accesstojustice
#A2J
Message from State Bar Board of Trustees Chair, Jason Lee, to July Bar Exam applicants. ICYMI, FAQs on the release of topics for the July 2019 Bar Exam are posted. We’ll update as needed with responses to any further critical questions:
Today the
#StateBarCA
announced the results of the July 2022
#CABarExam
. Congratulations to the 3,753 successful applicants! Read the full news release:
The
#StateBarCA
Committee of Bar Examiners recently accredited 3 fully online law schools:
@concordlaw
,
@sflawschool
, & Northwestern CA University School of Law. This first continues & expands CA’s tradition of offering multiple pathways to the law. See the full law school list:
October
#CAbarexam
applicants: Check out this short video walk-through to learn about highlighting, changing text display font size, and more during the Bar Exam PT in ExamSoft.
“Even as we encourage pro bono work and laud those who provide it, we cannot ignore the reality that America is experiencing a colossal justice crisis—one that grows worse every year.”
@IAALS
'
@z_demeola
@mahoulberg
on the need for paraprofessionals in CA:
Did you know you can report attorney misconduct using the
#statebarca
online complaint form? Select from multiple language options. For questions call: 800-843-9053, or go directly to the online form:
Attorneys, are you feeling lonely or anxious due to social isolation? Below are some tips to help you get through this challenging time. Check out this article from Scientific American for more tips on dealing with social distancing:
We invite members of the public to review and comment on regulatory reform options by the tech task force
#ATILS
for improving access to legal services. 60-day public comment period extends through Sep 23.
#accesstojustice
#a2j
California wildfire victims can access a new website and telephone hotlines for legal services, and are urged to avoid and report potential legal fraud. Read the full release:
In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month the State Bar recognizes Justice Cruz Reynoso for his distinguished public service and legal scholarship.
#HispanicHeritageMonth
Consumers: If you are approached by someone offering legal services in the wake of
#COVID19
, protect yourself from possible fraud. Use our website to check that the attorney is licensed and that the contact information is the same:
The
#StateBarCA
seeks public comment on Proposed New Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3, addressing a lawyer's duty to report the misconduct of another lawyer. Deadline to comment is Feb 17, 2023.
October
#CAbarexam
applicants: watch for an email today with final updates/reminders. It will include tips on where you’ll get passwords, what you do & don’t need to do on exam days, links to exam day checklists, & more. The FAQs have the same updates. Wishing you the best!
Reminder: Interested in serving on the
@CaSupremeCourt
&
#StateBarCA
Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of the CA Bar Exam? Seeking 15-20 members from
@CALawyersOrg
, law school faculty, judges, an online exam expert, & more. Apply now. Deadline Nov 30:
In 1991, Judge Donna Hitchens (Ret.) was elected to serve on the Superior Court of SF County, making her the 1st openly lesbian judge elected to a bench in the nation. Prior to becoming a judge, she founded
@nclrights
& cofounded
@balif_bar
. Hitchens shares her story
#PrideMonth
:
With great sadness, we note the passing of
#StateBarCA
Trustee Greg Knoll, a fearless & creative advocate for consumers, law students, & lawyers serving the people of CA. He reminded us always of our duty to protect the public and ensure access to justice for all Californians.
The State Bar will create a task force on access to justice through innovation of legal services. Application deadline is Oct. 10. More information and online application for appointment:
Are you a CA attorney? If so, sign up TODAY to complete a survey in August. You'll be eligible for MCLE credit! Your contribution will help shape the future of the CA Bar Exam.
#LawPractice2020
. Click the link below to sign up!
The State Bar has published its "First Annual Report Card on the Diversity of California's Legal Profession." Read the full news release:
#diversity
#inclusion
Are you a law student, applicant, current or former attorney? Do you need help dealing with problematic substance use, stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, relationship challenges, or other personal problems?
The
@StateBarCA
is proud to partner with
@codeforamerica
on the Closing the Delivery Gap report to help people in California clear their criminal records and remove barriers to opportunity
#CASupremeCourt
expands pathway to a CA law license, allowing thousands more law school graduates with qualifying prior bar exam scores to work as fully licensed attorneys after completing supervised practice hours.
@StateBarCA
will implement by Mar. 1:
Today, in furtherance of its public protection mission, the
#StateBarCA
Board of Trustees released two reports detailing past unethical conduct in handling complaints against disbarred attorney Thomas V. Girardi. News Release: FAQs:
Just launched! Please share! New web resource for low-income Californians seeking immigration legal aid: lists for each CA county of legal services providers who help with immigration. Available soon in Spanish.
#immigration
#inmigracion
#accesstojustice
#A2J
It’s true! CA allows applicants to take the Bar Exam without going to law school. Applicants must study in a law office or judge’s chamber & meet other rules.
#LawDay
is today! This year’s theme focuses on three cornerstones of representative government and calls on us to understand and protect these rights to ensure, as the U.S. Constitution proposes, “the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.”
The
#StateBarCA
is now accepting public comment on provisional licensure for those who scored 1390 or higher on a
#CAbarexam
administered July 2015–February 2020. Read the 2 options in proposed rule 9.49.1 here: . Deadline to submit comment is Dec 18:
In 2021
@yunpovi
joined
@StanfordLaw
faculty as the institution's first Native American member. That year, her
@stanflawrev
article analyzed the way US legal institutions systemically ignore legal structures created by tribal governments.
Today the
#StateBarCA
announced the results of the February 2022
#CABarExam
. 1,056 people passed the General Bar Exam & 209 people passed the Attorneys’ Exam. Congrats to the successful examinees! News release:
Yesterday,
@CAgovernor
Gavin Newsom appointed two new members of the
#StateBarCA
Board of Trustees: Melanie M. Shelby, Managing Director, Gray, Greer, Shelby and Vaughn; and Mark W. Toney, Executive Director, The Utility Reform Network. We look forward to welcoming them! Release:
Did you know you can report the unauthorized practice of law using the State Bar’s online complaint form? Select from multiple language options. For questions call: 800-843-9053, or go directly to the online form:
Today, we honor Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the first Filipina American and the second woman to serve as California’s chief justice.
#WomensHistoryMonth
Check out her feature in our brochure, “Be a Lawyer, Make a Difference”
The
#StateBarCA
’s Board of Trustees Chair Ruben Duran announced today that the agency is investigating attorneys Mark Geragos & Brian Kabateck in connection with the dispersal of Armenian Genocide insurance settlement funds. Read the full release:
Get the breakdown on some of the Task Force on Access Through Innovation of Legal Services
#ATILS
UPL proposals, 2.0 through 2.6, in this informative podcast- by Megan at
@ZaviehLaw
. She encourages public comment and supports more players in legal services:
UPL exceptions proposed by ATILS is causing quite a stir among
#lawyers
. In this ep of
#LawyersGoneEthical
, I break down the actual proposals & why it isn't as scary as it may seem. Listen in:
#lawtwitter
#CAbarexam
applicants: We apologize for the error regarding ExamSoft’s update availability—it will be Monday when exam files are available. The FAQs have been updated with new info about the software update, biometric data, and other topics. Watch for an email today with details.
At its July 16 meeting, among other actions, the
@StateBarCA
Board approved an action plan designed to improve equity in the attorney discipline system, following up on the agency’s first-ever study on racial disparities in the disciplinary system. Read the full news release:
#CABarExam
laptop applicants: Good news! The deadline to complete your two required mock exams in ExamSoft has been extended to September 23. Watch for an email Friday with more updates and clarified details on what you need to do to confirm that you are ready for the exam.
Attorneys: When anxiety or other mental health issues arising from work pressures or other stressors grow from manageable to overwhelming, get the support you need from the Lawyer Assistance Program, like 3 free sessions with an online support group. Call us to get started:
By supplying free legal help to low-income Californians, legal aid providers meet basic needs like shelter, food, & safety, help individuals in crisis, address systemic inequities, & revitalize communities. Learn more
#legalaid
#A2J
Attention Oct. Bar Exam applicants: You should have received an email about preparing your laptop for the exam. A registration email will come from ExamSoft to get you started on mock exams. Reminder, final withdrawal deadline is 9/8. See updated FAQs for more info:
The State Bar of California has seized the unauthorized law practice of a San Francisco woman who victimized immigrants from Russia and Mongolia. Read the full news release:
At its meeting today, the State Bar Board of Trustees heard a report on the first-ever study of racial disparities in California attorney discipline and what the State Bar is doing to continue monitoring and improving equity in its discipline system. Read the full release:
Tell us what you think! CA is the only state without a rule requiring lawyers to report misconduct by other lawyers. Versions of such a rule for CA are circulating now for comment. Your feedback helps ensure that
#StateBarCA
policy is informed by the public we serve.
One out of 5 Americans will experience a major depressive episode at least once during his/her lifetime. The rate for attorneys is 3-4 times higher. Check out our Depression Self-Assessment Test at: