What Are the Different Levels of Discipline that the State Bar Court Imposes on Attorneys?
Disciplinary action for violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct or the State Bar Act ranges from private reproval to disbarment. The California Supreme Court must approve any State Bar Court recommendation that suspends or disbars an attorney. The Supreme Court also may “stay” all or part of a suspension and may impose probationary conditions. The Probation Unit of the Office of Chief Trial Counsel monitors attorneys’ compliance with the conditions imposed on suspensions and reprovals. Although not “discipline,” the State Bar Court also may put attorneys on involuntary inactive status if they appear to pose a serious threat to the public. If a State Bar investigation indicates that an attorney’s conduct only bordered on a violation or was a minor breach, Bar prosecutors may choose an alternative to discipline. They could decide to send a Directional or Warning Letter to the attorney – and close the case. Or they could issue an Admonition informing the attorney that no further a
