FAQs: Procedures, Programs, and Rules

What are the court's filing window hours?

The State Bar Court will accept counter filings for the Hearing Department and the Review Department at the filing windows located at 845 South Figueroa Street, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles and 180 Howard Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco from 8:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except when the Court is closed for holidays observed by the State Bar of California. 

COUNTER FILINGS RECEIVED BETWEEN 8:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. will be processed on the same day. If a document meets the filing requirements as set forth in the Rules of Practice of the State Bar Court, Rules of Procedure of the State Bar of California, and State Bar Court General Orders, the document will be filed and a conformed copy will be provided.

Filings may also be submitted electronically, pursuant to the Rules of Practice of the State Bar Court, Rules of Procedure of the State Bar of California, and State Bar Court General Orders.

ELECTRONIC FILINGS RECEIVED BETWEEN 5:01 P.M. of the preceding day and 5:00 P.M. of the next (current) court day will be filed on the current court day if the filing requirements are met. For example, if the court receives a pleading by email at 5:10 p.m. on Friday, it will be filed the following Monday unless that Monday is a holiday. If that Monday is a holiday, it will be filed the following court day (Tuesday).

For Review Department documents submitted at the San Francisco filing window, the document will be date stamped RECEIVED and sent to Los Angeles for processing. If the document meets filing requirements, it will be FILED using the RECEIVED date.

Where can I get State Bar Court forms?

Most court forms are available online. If you are unable to locate a specific form, contact the court.

How many copies of pleadings are required to be filed in the Hearing Department?

Rule of Practice 1110(e) states that an original and two copies must be filed for all notices of disciplinary charges, responses to notices of disciplinary charges, motions to revoke probation, and responses to motions to revoke probation.  All other pleadings filed in connection with matters before the Hearing Department require an original and one copy.

How many copies of pleadings are required to be filed in the Review Department?

Rule 5.151.1 of the Rules of Procedure states that any brief or pleading in connection with matters before the Review Department requires an original and four copies; any pleading relating to a motion to be determined by the Presiding Judge requires an original and two copies.

My case is a Los Angeles venue case but is assigned to a San Francisco Hearing Judge. Where do I file my documents?

Generally, documents in the Hearing Department must be filed in the venue where the judge is seated. For specific directions in this situation, please see State Bar Court General Order 15-03.

How can I obtain a Certificate of Standing?

A Certificate of Standing is not issued by the State Bar Court but may be requested online. The certificate can be obtained for a fee from the State Bar of California.

How do I obtain the rule 9.20 compliance form, and where do I file it?

The 9.20 compliance affidavit is available online. You must file the original with the State Bar Court, 845 S. Figueroa Street, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017-2515.

Why didn’t my address get updated when I filed my rule 9.20 compliance form with a new address?

The 9.20 compliance affidavit will update your membership record. If the new address is not posted to the website within 10 days of filing the affidavit, please contact Attorney Fees and Billing at 888-800-3400 or complete the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form.

What is the Alternative Discipline Program (ADP)?

The State Bar Court’s Alternative Discipline Program is a separate discipline track in the court that addresses the substance abuse and mental health problems of attorneys who are facing formal disciplinary proceedings by creating a formal, structured program for the attorney. For a full description, please see the Alternative Discipline Program Outline.

How is the ADP different than standard case processing?

In standard case processing, the judge focuses on determining the facts of the misconduct case and determining what the appropriate level of discipline, if any, should be. This may be achieved through a stipulation (agreement) of the parties or it may require that a trial be held to make these determinations.

In the ADP, the attorney stipulates to the facts of the misconduct, and the judge provides the attorney with two levels of discipline: a lower level of discipline that will be imposed upon successful completion of the program requirements, and a higher level of discipline to be implemented if the attorney does not successfully complete the program requirements.

What is the Lawyer Assistance Program?

The State Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) is a program separate from the State Bar Court. LAP addresses the substance abuse and mental health problems of attorneys, whether or not they are a party to a disciplinary proceeding. The program offers support and structure to attorneys recovering from these disorders. For more information, visit the Lawyer Assistance Program webpage.

I resigned without charges pending. What process do I use to get reinstated?

You must file a petition for reinstatement with the State Bar Court. Please refer to Rules 5.440–5.446 of the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar for the requirements.

How much is the filing fee for reinstatement?

The filing fee is $1,643.

When can I apply for reinstatement?

The earliest time to file for reinstatement depends on whether you resigned with or without charges pending, or whether you were disbarred. Rule 5.442 of the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar provides the various time frames for applying for reinstatement.

Can I apply for a fee waiver or fee reduction for the reinstatement process?

The filing fee is set by the Board of Trustees and is required in order to apply for reinstatement. The court cannot waive or reduce the fee.  However, if you are filing a new petition within 30 days of a dismissal of a previous petition for failure to comply with the requirements of Rule 5.441, you will not have to pay the filing fee again.

How do I seek relief from disciplinary costs?

See rule 5.130 of the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar about when and under what circumstances you can file a motion with the State Bar Court.

How do I seek relief from a Client Security Fund judgment?

After a judgment has been entered, rule 5.133 of the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar provides that a respondent may file a request for State Bar Court approval of a stipulation, between the respondent and the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel, that compromises the judgment. Refer to rule 5.22 of the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar to determine in what venue the request should be filed. Refer to rule 1110 of the Rules of Practice of the State Bar Court for filing requirements.

Where do I get the form to show I have reimbursed the Client Security Fund?

Contact the Office of Finance at collections@calbar.ca.gov.

How do I submit my fingerprints in support of my Petition for Reinstatement?

The State Bar of California is a Live Scan agency. If you are a California petitioner, please refer to the State Bar’s website for information on how to submit your fingerprints. Information for out-of-state attorneys is also available.

I did not owe any discipline costs and/or I did not owe any reimbursement to the Client Security Fund. What do I do?

All petitions for reinstatement must be accompanied by two forms: one establishing satisfactory proof of payment of all discipline costs imposed pursuant to Business & Professions Code section 6086.10(a); and one establishing proof of payment of all reimbursement for payments made by the Client Security Fund (CSF). These forms are required even if no discipline costs were imposed or no reimbursement to CSF was required. To obtain the forms, please contact the Office of Finance at collections@calbar.ca.gov.

What is the filing fee for an application for approval of a stipulation compromising a judgment for reimbursement of the Client Security Fund?

There is no filing fee for an application for approval.

What do I do if I have reimbursed the Client Security Fund in full and/or I believe I do not have any judgments owed to the Client Security Fund?

All petitions for reinstatement must be accompanied by a form establishing satisfactory proof of payment of all reimbursement for payments made by the Client Security Fund (CSF). This form is required even if reimbursement to CSF was required. To obtain the form, please contact the Office of Finance at collections@calbar.ca.gov.

Where do I get the form showing I have paid my discipline costs?

Contact the Office of Finance at collections@calbar.ca.gov.

Can I resolve my disciplinary costs by telephone?

No, you must file a motion with the State Bar Court if you wish to get relief from an order assessing costs.

What do I do if I have paid the State Bar in full and/or I believe I do not owe disciplinary costs?

All petitions for reinstatement must be accompanied by a form establishing satisfactory proof of payment of all discipline costs imposed pursuant to Business & Professions Code section 6086.10(a). This form is required even if no discipline costs were imposed. To obtain the form, please contact the Office of Finance at collections@calbar.ca.gov.

Where do I send a Reportable Actions report or required notice of an attorney’s criminal conviction? (for callers from other courts)

Reportable Actions reports should be sent to:

The State Bar of California
Office of Intake
Attention: Reportable Actions
845 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2515

How much is the filing fee for relief from disciplinary costs?

There is no filing fee for motions.