News Releases

State Bar of California names new general counsel

Contact: Laura Ernde

415-538-2283

barcomm@calbar.ca.gov

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 7, 2015 – The Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California has named state industrial relations attorney Vanessa L. Holton as the State Bar’s new general counsel.  

“The board is pleased to welcome such a savvy and experienced attorney to provide sage counsel to the State Bar on a wide range of legal issues,” said State Bar President Craig Holden. “The board was impressed with her acumen and we are confident she will excel in this new position.” 

Holton currently serves as assistant chief counsel — and has also served as chief counsel — to the California Department of Industrial Relations, a legal unit of more than 75 that provides advice and representation to department executive staff and its various divisions, boards and commissions. She has worked there since 1988.

Before that, Holton served for five years as an attorney for the Communications Workers of America, where she represented the labor organization in arbitration, collective bargaining and other matters. She has also served for many years as a consultant to the National Conference of Bar Examiners and to the California Bar Exam and Legal Specialization Unit. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law. 

“I am excited to serve as the chief legal officer for the State Bar, and I am looking forward to grappling with the diverse legal issues it faces in pursuing its highest priority of protecting the public,” Holton said.

As general counsel, Holton will lead a staff of about 20 and answer to the Board of Trustees. Among her duties will be to provide legal analysis on laws and proposed legislation, advice on contracts and labor relations, representation in courts and administrative agencies and counsel to the State Bar in discipline and admission cases before the California Supreme Court. 

She will start her employment in advance of the State Bar’s Annual Meeting in October.