News Release

Supreme Court Directs State Bar of California to Submit Request for Interim Funding

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, acting on behalf of the state Supreme Court, today directed State Bar President David J. Pasternak and Executive Director Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker to submit a funding request to the Supreme Court.
Sep 8, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO—Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, acting on behalf of the state Supreme Court, today directed State Bar President David J. Pasternak and Executive Director Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker to submit a funding request to the Supreme Court by September 30, 2016.

The court’s action comes a week after the Legislature adjourned without passing a bill authorizing the State Bar to collect annual bar dues for 2017.

In a letter to bar leadership, the Chief Justice noted that both the Senate and Assembly bills “contained public protection and governance reforms” that should be implemented “to ensure the adequacy and operational efficiency of the Client Security Fund [and] to enhance the Bar’s ability to more effectively process discipline and unlawful practice of law complaints. ...The court also strongly encourages Bar leadership to adopt other good government and public protection reforms, including requesting the Attorney General to appoint a qualified individual...to monitor and report on the Bar’s progress in reforming its discipline system….”