Report 2022-030 Recommendation 12 Responses

Report 2022-030: The State Bar of California's Attorney Discipline Process: Weak Policies Limit Its Ability to Protect the Public From Attorney Misconduct (Release Date: April 2022)

Recommendation #12 To: Bar of California, State

To ensure that it appropriately reviews complaints involving overdrafts and alleged misappropriations from client trust accounts the State Bar should, by July 2022, discontinue its use of informal guidance for review of bank reportable actions and direct all staff to follow the policies established in its intake procedures manual (intake manual).

60-Day Agency Response

The Assistant Chief Trial Counsel overseeing the Intake team (where review of bank reportable actions occurs) met with relevant staff and directed that they comply with polices established in the intake manual and discontinue use of informal guidance.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Fully Implemented

The State Bar provided an agenda indicating that the intake manual and intake procedures were discussed at an intake team meeting.

All Recommendations in 2022-030

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.