SUBJECT

Proposed Lawyer Referral Service Rules

BACKGROUND

As part of the State Bar’s ongoing Rules Revision project, the State Bar rules for lawyer referral services have been revised. The 19 Rules and Regulations of The State Bar of California Pertaining to Lawyer Referral Services, including Minimum Standards for Lawyer Referral Service in California, were effective Jan. 1, 1997 and have not been amended since.

PROPOSAL

The proposed revised rules streamline the procedures for denial or continuation of certification and make a few other minor modifications to update current requirements, which include minimum standards for lawyer referral services.

The agenda item attached (Attachment 1) explains the proposed rules revisions as presented by staff.  At the July 23, 2010, meeting of the Board Committee on Legal Services, Pro Bono & Equal Access the proposed revisions were discussed and the board committee approved their release for a 45-day public comment period.

These proposed rules revisions are provided in Attachment 2 and may be compared to the current Rules and Regulations of the State Bar of California Pertaining to Lawyer Referral Services and Minimum Standards provided in Attachment 3.

ANY KNOWN FISCAL/PERSONAL IMPACT

None. 

ATTACHMENTS

• Attachment 1 - Agenda Item regarding proposed revisions and request for approval for public comment
• Attachment 2 - Proposed rule revisions
• Attachment 3 - Current State Bar of California rules and regulations pretaining to Lawyer Referral Services including Minimum Standards for Lawyer Referral Services in California

SOURCE

State Bar Board Committee on Legal Service, Pro Bono and Equal Access

COMMENT DEADLINE

September 10, 2010 

DIRECT COMMENTS TO:

Carol Madeja
The State Bar of California
Office of Bar Relations Outreach
1149 S. Hill St., Fl. 7
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 765-1337
Fax: (213) 765-1705
Email: carol.madeja@calbar.ca.gov