How to File a Complaint with the California State Bar
If you have a problem with your lawyer’s actions or fees, you have options. Here’s how to file a complaint against a lawyer in California:
Contact the State Bar’s Intake Hotline
Call the State Bar’s multilingual intake hotline at 800-843-9053 for assistance or questions regarding filing a complaint.
Download and Complete the Attorney Complaint Form
Download the attorney complaint form from the State Bar’s website. Complete the form using Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar program.
Submit the Complaint Form
Submit the completed attorney complaint form to the State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel.
Review and Evaluation
An experienced State Bar attorney will review your complaint to determine if the facts show an ethical violation. Additional documents may be requested for evaluation.
Investigation
If the review determines a violation, the matter will be investigated. Complaints and investigations are kept confidential.
Possible Outcomes
Depending on the investigation, possible outcomes include:
Key Facts
- Contact the State Bar’s multilingual intake hotline: You can call the State Bar’s intake hotline at 800-843-9053 if you need assistance or have any questions regarding filing a complaint.
- Download and complete the attorney complaint form: Once you have decided to file a complaint, you will need to fill out an attorney complaint form. These forms can be downloaded from the State Bar’s website. Please note that the PDF forms cannot be filled out within the browser, so you will need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar program to complete the form.
- Submit the complaint form: After completing the attorney complaint form, you can submit it to the State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel. The office handles complaints about unethical attorney conduct from various sources, including clients, family and friends of clients, courts, opposing counsel, members of the public, and anonymous submissions.
- Review and evaluation: An experienced State Bar attorney will review your complaint to determine if the facts are sufficient to show an ethical violation. Additional documents from you may be required for this evaluation.
- Investigation: If the review determines that there is a violation, the matter will be investigated. Complaints and investigations are kept confidential.
- Possible outcomes: Depending on the investigation, there are several possible outcomes. If the evidence does not establish a serious violation, the State Bar may issue a warning or an Agreement in Lieu of Discipline (ALD), which is not considered discipline. If the State Bar decides to file charges against the lawyer, the case will go to the independent State Bar Court, where a judge can dismiss the case, issue a reproval, or recommend suspension or disbarment. The final decision on discipline cases involving suspension or disbarment is made by the California Supreme Court.
- Warning
- Agreement in Lieu of Discipline (ALD)
- Charges filed with the State Bar Court
- Case dismissal
- Reproval
- Suspension
- Disbarment
The final decision on discipline cases involving suspension or disbarment is made by the California Supreme Court.
Sources
FAQs
How do I contact the State Bar’s intake hotline?
Call 800-843-9053 for assistance or questions regarding filing a complaint.
Where can I download the attorney complaint form?
Download the attorney complaint form from the State Bar’s website.
Where do I submit the completed complaint form?
Submit the completed attorney complaint form to the State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel.
What happens after I submit the complaint form?
An experienced State Bar attorney will review your complaint to determine if the facts show an ethical violation. Additional documents may be requested for evaluation.
What are the possible outcomes of a complaint investigation?
Depending on the investigation, possible outcomes include a warning, Agreement in Lieu of Discipline (ALD), charges filed with the State Bar Court, case dismissal, reproval, suspension, or disbarment.
Who makes the final decision on discipline cases involving suspension or disbarment?
The final decision on discipline cases involving suspension or disbarment is made by the California Supreme Court.
Are complaints and investigations kept confidential?
Yes, complaints and investigations are kept confidential.
Can I file a complaint anonymously?
Yes, you can file a complaint anonymously. However, providing your contact information will allow the State Bar to follow up with you regarding the status of your complaint.