Report 2011-030 Recommendation 3 Responses

Report 2011-030: State Bar of California: Its Lawyer Assistance Program Lacks Adequate Controls for Reporting on Participating Attorneys (Release Date: May 2011)

Recommendation #3 To: Bar of California, State

To make certain that case managers treat consistently the noncompliance issues that do not require immediate reports to disciplinary bodies, the assistance program should finish implementing its case file review process. Further, the assistance program should develop guidelines to help case managers determine when to submit noncompliance issues to the evaluation committee.

1-Year Agency Response

According to the State Bar, it has fully implemented its annual case review process, which requires case managers to meet on a monthly basis and review a random selection of case files. The review process involves an assessment of each selected case and a discussion of any changes that may be required. At the end of the case review process, the case management supervisor is required to follow up to ensure each case manager has made the necessary changes. In addition, the assistance program has developed guidelines to help case managers determine when to submit noncompliance issues to the evaluation committee. (See 2013-406, p. 166)

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented

All Recommendations in 2011-030

Agency responses received after June 2013 are posted verbatim.