News Releases

Two New Hearing Judges Appointed to State Bar Court

The State Bar of California announces that two new hearing judges have been appointed to the State Bar Court by the Legislature: Judge Dennis G. Saab in Los Angeles, and Judge Phong Wang in San Francisco.

Judge Saab was appointed by Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon. Judge Saab joined the Court in Los Angeles on July 15, 2019, with a term expiration of November 1, 2020.

Previously, he was a solo practitioner in Downey for 23 years. Judge Saab also previously served as a Judge Pro Tem in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County and on the California Commission on Access to Justice. He earned his law degree from Loyola Law School and his bachelor’s degree from UCLA. He has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1995.

Judge Wang has been appointed by the Senate Rules Committee. Judge Wang will join the Court in San Francisco in mid-August with a term expiration of November 1, 2022.

Prior to her appointment, Judge Wang served as a Senior Deputy Public Defender with the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, where she served for nearly 20 years. A graduate of UC Hastings College of the Law, Judge Wang has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1997.

California is the only state with independent professional judges dedicated to ruling on attorney discipline cases. The State Bar Court hears charges filed by the State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel against attorneys whose actions involve probable misconduct.

The Court has the power to recommend that the California Supreme Court suspend or disbar attorneys found to have committed acts of professional misconduct or to have been convicted of serious crimes. For lesser offenses, the Court can issue public or private reprovals. The Court also can temporarily remove lawyers from practice when they are deemed to pose a substantial threat of harm to clients or the public.

Since 1989, the Court has used full-time judges appointed by the three branches of government. Under statute, the California Supreme Court appoints the presiding judge of the State Bar Court. Among the five hearing judges, two are appointed by the California Supreme Court, one by the Governor, one by the Senate Rules Committee, and one by the Speaker of the Assembly.

 

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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.