Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 36 into law, State Bar Reform
Did you know that the California State Bar is the largest state bar in the country? Recent audits of the State Bar revealed questionable financial decisions and a lack of transparency that led to a renewed bi-partisan effort to make historic reforms. Read more about the report here.
These reforms are intended to refocus the State Bar on its public service mission: attorney admissions and discipline.
Another Acronym? What is the CBSA?
This bill requires the State Bar to split off the 16 voluntary practice area sections into the California Bar Sections Association (CBSA), a private non-profit. The CBSA will continue to do all the things the Sections were doing previously, namely: providing MCLE credit, offering technical assistance to the Legislature regarding legislation, hosting conferences, and publishing practice guides regarding California law.
Changes to the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will now be appointed by the California State Legislature and the Governor, attorneys will no longer elect trustees. The reduced board will consist of seven attorneys and six non-attorneys for four year terms. The California Supreme Court will appoint a Chair and a Vice Chair, instead of officers elected by fellow Trustees.
Bar Exam
This bill also requires the Board to, at least once every seven years, oversee an evaluation of the bar examination. This evaluation will determine if the exam properly tests for competence for new attorneys and will decide if adjustments need to be made to the examination or the passing score.
What will my State Bar dues be in 2018?
The total 2018 fee for active status lawyers will be $430, and $155 for attorneys with inactive status, unchanged from 2017. All fees are due Feb. 1, 2018.