News Releases

Statement: Response to Legislative Analyst’s Office Report on State Bar Fee Increase

The Legislative Analyst’s Office today issued its report: The California State Bar: Considerations for a Fee Increase

Response Statement from Leah T. Wilson, Executive Director, State Bar of California

“The Legislative Analyst’s Office report offers legislators a range of options with regard to the State Bar’s licensing fee increase. While we are pleased that the LAO, which has never reviewed State Bar funding before, agrees that the licensing fee needs to be increased, we are concerned that the lowest options they outline seem to ignore what the State Auditor, who is well-versed in State Bar operations, determined are critical elements of adequate funding to ensure public protection. Most importantly, only the highest option funds critical hiring needed to meet the statutorily required timeframe for discipline case processing, which the LAO acknowledges we cannot meet with existing resource levels. Similarly, only the highest option identified would provide adequate funding for fair treatment of our employees, namely an equitable retiree health benefit. The LAO has alternative suggestions from the State Auditor to ensure a more rational budgeting and funding process moving forward. We agreed with the State Auditor’s call for a multiyear funding cycle, which would infuse predictability into State Bar finances, and we look forward to discussing and resolving those issues. We also look forward to working with legislators to ensure they understand how our work protects the public, the progress we have made on critical reforms over the last few years, and the momentum we hope to sustain in the future in serving the people of California."

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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.