The State Bar of California is the largest state bar in the nation. Businesses and people who hire lawyers need assurance about the quality of the lawyers’ work - and recourse when something goes awry. Law-abiding lawyers care about the health of their profession. Because the bar is a public agency, the Legislature must approve its dues amount each year, which gives it leverage. Lawmakers also hope to push reform through legislation in the next two weeks. Bar leaders accept much of the criticism and pledge to turn things around. “You’ve got to have independent oversight and checks and balances.”Ī new reform effort is underway after a management shake-up - three new top executives from outside the organization take over in the next few weeks. “You cannot expect a cartel structure to regulate itself in the public interest - it just doesn’t happen,” said Robert Fellmeth, Price Professor of Public Interest Law at USD and current director of CPIL. At least since 1979, critics have complained that the State Bar lets too many bad lawyers off the hook. It’s the latest in a series of 14 over the last 20 years. After further review, stricter discipline was recommended in 21 of the cases - and five lawyers were disbarred. Among other findings: the California Supreme Court kicked back 27 settlements the bar had approved in 2011, concluding they were too lenient. In June, a critical state audit blasted the organization for inconsistent discipline and shoddy finances. At least on the second count, the bar is failing - and has been for decades, critics say. The State Bar of California has a $138 million budget to do two main things: admit lawyers to practice and keep bad lawyers off the rolls. Fellmeth and Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) Administrative Director Julie D'Angelo Fellmeth were quoted in a Sacramento Business Journal article reporting on how the State Bar of California is failing to hold bad lawyers accountable. Sacramento (August 28, 2015) – University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Professor Robert C.
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