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State Bar of California Appoints New General Counsel

The Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California has named Ellin Davtyan as its new General Counsel. Ms. Davtyan comes to the role after serving as Senior Associate General Counsel at L.A. Care Health Plan (L.A. Care), the nation’s largest public health plan.

“The Board was impressed by Ms. Davtyan’s vision for the State Bar’s Office of General Counsel and her experience and acumen providing counsel to those leading a large, complex public institution with a diverse constituency,” said Ruben Duran, Board Chair. “She will move from the nation’s largest public health plan to the nation’s largest State Bar. We are excited she is joining us and know she will excel in the role.”

L.A. Care provides access to quality healthcare for Los Angeles County’s vulnerable and low-income communities and residents and supports the healthcare safety net required to achieve that mission. In her capacity as Senior Associate General Counsel, Ms. Davtyan leads a team of attorneys and legal staff who handle a broad spectrum of complex legal matters. She serves as legal advisor to the Board, executive leadership, and management on a wide range of topics while supporting the organization’s mission, goals, and vision.

Before joining L.A. Care in 2011, Ms. Davtyan’s practice centered on public and municipal law while representing numerous governmental and public sector clients. 

Ms. Davtyan, a California licensed attorney since 2005, received her JD from Southwestern University School of Law that same year. She received her BA in Political Science and Russian Language and Literature from UC Irvine in 2000. A Southern California resident, Ms. Davtyan moved to the U.S. from Armenia at age 13 with her parents and brother. 

“I am honored to serve as the State Bar's chief legal officer, and I look forward to working with my team of experienced attorneys and legal staff on delivery of competent legal services to the organization, and building strong partnerships with the Board and leadership team to help the organization achieve its goals and further its vital public protection mission, while adhering to the highest ethical standards,” Ms. Davtyan said.

As General Counsel, Ms. Davtyan 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 to represent the State Bar in discipline and admission cases before the California Supreme Court. 

She is scheduled to start her employment on August 18. She will succeed Vanessa Holton, who is retiring after nearly seven years in the position.

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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.