News Releases

State Bar Board of Trustees Approves Emergency Rule Changes to Mitigate COVID-19 Impacts; Tentative Workforce Agreements

At its April 16 virtual meeting, the State Bar Board of Trustees approved several emergency rule changes to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 emergency on licensees, program participants, members of the public, and State Bar staff. The Board also approved the Memoranda of Understanding with the State Bar’s represented staff for 2020–2022.

“In these unprecedented times, the State Bar continues to monitor and adapt so that our essential work protecting the public continues. These rule changes enable us to afford some timing flexibility for licensees who are dealing with the multiple impacts of the pandemic” said Interim Executive Director Donna Hershkowitz. “Meanwhile, our staff have demonstrated their tremendous professionalism and mission dedication under very challenging circumstances affecting all workers now. We are grateful to be working in partnership with the union to give our valued staff some measure of security in uncertain times.”

The emergency rule changes will enable staff to:

• Waive late payment penalties relating to licensing fees for attorneys impacted by the COVID-19 emergency;
• Extend the penalty deadline for law corporation renewal to June 30;
• Extend a variety of compliance deadlines to September 30, including:
  • Nonpayment of License Fees—Final deadline for licensees to pay outstanding license fees before being suspended by the Supreme Court;
  • Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Compliance—Final deadline for licensees to report MCLE compliance before being administratively enrolled on involuntary inactive status;
  • MCLE Provider Renewal—Final deadline for MCLE multiple activity providers to renew their status; and
• Allow electronic service of process in State Bar Court and fee arbitration proceedings.

The State Bar continues to closely monitor and respond to the evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation and its potential impact on services to the public, licensees, and applicants, as well as the health and safety of agency staff. The State Bar’s offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles have been closed to the public, with nearly all staff required to telecommute, since March 17. All COVID-19 updates are posted on the State Bar website.

The agreements with Service Employees International Union contain wage, hour, and benefit adjustments as well as other changes to workforce terms and conditions beneficial to both staff and management. Most significantly, the agreements extend to all staff the same retiree health benefits that were previously available only to executive staff, a historic improvement enabled by last year’s licensing fee bill.

Among other actions, the Board approved the 2019 Annual Discipline Report, which will be finalized, submitted to the Legislature, and posted on the State Bar website by April 30.

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The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.