News Releases

Statement: Response to 2019 California State Auditor’s Report: State Bar of California

The Office of the California State Auditor today issued its 2019 Report and Recommendations on the State Bar of California.

Response Statement from Leah T. Wilson, Executive Director

“We are pleased that the California State Auditor affirmed the need for a substantial increase in the licensing fee, the State Bar’s primary source of revenue. We agree with all of the State Auditor’s recommendations, and we embrace the Auditor’s suggestions for modifying the fee-setting process with multi-year fee bills and a mechanism for periodic adjustments based on current needs. This longer-term approach would enable us to gain a level of stability and predictability currently lacking and would best position the State Bar to realize our public protection mission. With adequate funding we can build on the meaningful progress and reforms we report today in our Annual Discipline Report. We need to staff the investigation and discipline functions adequately; a fee increase is the only way to get there.”

Response Statement from Jason P. Lee, Chair, Board of Trustees

“We have made significant strides in reforming the State Bar, and the State Auditor’s report only affirms that we’ve put our house in order. After 20 years, a licensing fee increase is long overdue. Without an increase, the State Bar’s public protection mission is at stake. The State Auditor points out that it is time not only to reset the licensing fee but also to revamp the governance process used to set it fairly and appropriately. We hope that the Legislature sees the multiple benefits in the State Auditor’s recommendations for a longer-term approach to funding the State Bar and uses these recommendations as the foundation for the 2020 fee bill. The State Bar has made tremendous progress under our Strategic Plan in the last three years, with structural and oversight reform, fiscal efficiencies, technological improvements, and a revamped discipline process that is showing real progress in retiring the case backlog. The State Auditor’s recommended approach would ensure the State Bar’s continued fiscal health and ability to fulfill its mission, while allowing for a more moderate fee increase in 2020.”

Additional information

State Bar's Formal Response within the State Audit 
Infographic: State Bar Funding Needs 
Fact Sheet: A Fee Increase Is Needed to Protect the Public 
2018 Annual Discipline Report

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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.