News Releases

George Cardona Confirmed as State Bar Chief Trial Counsel

The California Senate confirmed Monday the appointment of George Cardona as the Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar of California. The vote was 35-0, with five abstentions. This is the first Senate confirmation of a Chief Trial Counsel in 10 years.

“I am deeply committed to the public protection mission of the Office of Chief Trial Counsel and its efforts to ensure that lawyers offering their services do so in compliance with all applicable ethical standards and rules,” said Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona. “I thank the Senate for their confidence in me, and I look forward to working with the legislature to further this mission.” 

Monday’s vote follows a June 7 California Senate Rules Committee hearing, where Cardona earned the praise of committee members for his candor, transparency, and commitment to address discipline concerns.  

“George Cardona is committed to public protection, fairness, equity, diversity, and he carries out that commitment with the highest ethical standards,” said Ruben Duran, Chair of the State Bar Board of Trustees. “He is the right person for the job, and I’m glad and grateful that the California Senate agrees. On behalf of the State Bar Board of Trustees, I congratulate him on his confirmation.”

Cardona is a former federal prosecutor and City of Santa Monica City Attorney. He joined the State Bar in October 2021.  

His goals include prioritizing cases that put the public most at risk, developing new case processing standards based in part on this prioritization, and ensuring that investigative and prosecutorial decisions remain free from conflicts or outside influence. 

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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.