Supreme Court Issues Order Inviting Amicus Curiae Submissions Following Receipt of State Bar’s Interim Special Regulatory Assessment Request
SAN FRANCISCO—Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, acting on behalf of the state Supreme Court, today issued an order inviting any person or entity wishing to comment on the State Bar’s Request to submit an amicus curiae letter to the court by Tuesday, October 11, 2016.
The action follows receipt of the Request of the State Bar of California for Special Regulatory Assessment today, September 30, 2016. Any letter should reference the court’s docket number and case S237081, In re Attorney Discipline System. The full text of the order states:
“On September 30, 2016, the court received the Request of the State Bar of California for Special Regulatory Assessment (“Request”). Any person or entity wishing to comment on the State Bar’s Request may submit an amicus curiae letter (referencing docket number S237081, In re Attorney Discipline System) to the Office of the Clerk, Supreme Court of California, 350 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. The commenter must also send a copy of the amicus curiae letter to Vanessa Holton, General Counsel, The State Bar of California, 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The letters to the court and the copies to the State Bar must be postmarked on or before October 11, 2016, or be hand-delivered to the designated addresses by October 11, 2016.”
The court’s further action comes after the Legislature adjourned without passing a bill authorizing the State Bar to collect annual bar dues for 2017. The Supreme Court of California possesses the inherent constitutional power to regulate the practice of law, as well as the responsibility to impose an interim regulatory fee upon attorneys for the purpose of supporting an adequate, functioning attorney discipline system that protects clients and the public.