State Bar of California

In March, the #StateBarCA issued the following Cease and Desist Notices for the unauthorized practice of law in Los Angeles County. Visit our website to view Cease and Desist Notices by county: bit.ly/laupl #CABarUPL

📢 CA attorneys, law students, & applicants: This Mental Health Awareness Month, remember you’re not alone. If you're facing stress, burnout, or mental health or substance use challenges, the Lawyer Assistance Program offers confidential support: bit.ly/4npejNO

Today's #StateBarCA Board of Trustees meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. There will be limited time for public comment on agenda items. To attend, please view the agenda: bit.ly/3R4m4wI

The California State Senate today confirmed Laura Enderton-Speed as Executive Director of the #StateBarCA. 🎉 Enderton-Speed, who has been serving in the role since November 2025, brings more than two decades of public service experience — including leadership roles at the Judicial Council of California, CalPERS, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the California State Senate. "I want to thank the Senate for confirming me as Executive Director of the State Bar of California. I sought out this position looking for a way to contribute and find solutions to some of the toughest issues facing the State Bar, while supporting the policy and staff efforts that are succeeding, all in furtherance of the State Bar's mission of protecting the public. For more than two decades, I have prioritized good and ethical governance, and the importance of public trust and confidence, and I will continue to do so as Executive Director of the State Bar of California." Congratulations, Laura. We appreciate your efforts and look forward to the work ahead! Read the full news release: bit.ly/4udCamc

Ira Seltzer [#46225] of Malibu disbarred for willfully misappropriating client funds, failing to maintain client funds in trust, failing to cooperate in a disciplinary investigation, and other violations. Effective discipline date: 5/3/26 — discipline history: bit.ly/48Jq9wf

Did you know? You can view #StateBarCA calendar and fiscal year discipline statistics online. Our webpage summarizes statistics, and a map breaks out disbarments, suspensions/probations, and cease & desist notices quarterly, by county: bit.ly/42kSTG1

Today's #StateBarCA Board of Trustees meeting begins at 11:00 a.m. There will be limited time for public comment on agenda items. To attend, please view the agenda: bit.ly/3R4m4wI

Today's #StateBarCA Board Audit Committee meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. There will be limited time for public comment on agenda items. To attend, please view the agenda: bit.ly/3R4pr6Y

Today's #StateBarCA Board Finance Committee meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. There will be limited time for public comment on agenda items. To attend, please view the agenda: bit.ly/48UDoKF

Today's #StateBarCA Board Executive Committee meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. There will be limited time for public comment on agenda items. To attend, please view the agenda: bit.ly/4uNfFEP

The State Bar’s 2025 Digital Annual Report (DAR) highlights the agency’s response to widespread challenges applicants faced during the February 2025 California Bar Exam, including reimbursements, stipends, fee waivers, and scoring and non-scoring remedies for impacted applicants. The report further outlines ongoing work surrounding the future of the California Bar Exam and highlights the successful delivery of the in-person July 2025 exam. The DAR also highlights efforts to expand access to justice across California, including support for pro bono legal services and a record $308 million distributed to 114 legal aid organizations statewide. However, declining federal support and falling interest rates are expected to reduce funding by $40 million in 2026. Read the report: bit.ly/4tAszVB

CA Attorneys: Apply to become an exam grader for the July exam. Complete the online form by 6/21: bit.ly/3PCdt3W Must not have any professional affiliation with a law school or bar review course, nor maintain a close relationship with anyone who is taking the bar exam.

Pal Anthony Lengyel‑Leahu [#147153] of Tustin disbarred for intentional misappropriation, intentionally making false statements, and other violations. Effective discipline date: 5/3/26 — discipline history: bit.ly/4dnXeR0

Today's #StateBarCA Committee of Bar Examiners, Subcommittee on Examination Development meeting begins at noon. There will be limited time for public comment on agenda items. To attend, please view the agenda: bit.ly/4eJ8k4k

During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the #StateBarCA celebrates the growing diversity of California’s judiciary and the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander judges and justices helping shape a fair and inclusive legal system for all Californians. According to the 2026 Judicial Demographics Report, the percentage of Asian justices and judges on California’s bench has increased from 4.4% in 2006 to 11.9% in 2025—part of a continued statewide effort to build a judiciary that reflects the communities it serves. Learn more about the report and ongoing efforts to advance judicial diversity in California: bit.ly/4dwYO30

The #StateBarCA seeks public comment by 7/10, on a proposed ethics opinion addressing lawyers’ duties for retaining and destroying client files in closed civil and criminal matters. The draft outlines when files may be destroyed and what must be preserved: bit.ly/4eJ9IE8

Charles Aghoian [#129988] of Northridge summarily disbarred for a felony criminal conviction involving moral turpitude. Effective discipline date: 5/3/26 — discipline history: bit.ly/4wgvnK8

🔔 Attention #CALawStudents and Bar Exam applicants: Taking the June 2026 First-Year Law Students’ Exam (#FYLSE) or the July 2026 #CABarExam Don’t miss these key deadlines!⏰ 📌 Key dates for the June 2026 FYLSE: 📅 May 15: Final window to apply; $250 final late filing fee 📅 May 15: Testing accommodations request - final filing deadline 📅 May 15: Deadline to request to test remotely 📌 Key dates for those who did not sit for the February 2026 bar exam 📅 May 1–June 1: $250 late filing fee deadline 📌 Key dates for immediate repeaters who sat for the February 2026 bar exam 📅 May 15: Timely filing deadline for immediate repeaters 📅 May 1–June 15: Deadline to withdraw with 60% refund ✅Apply and make request in the Applicant Portal: bit.ly/3wPj25k. Visit our webpages for more info: bit.ly/cabarexamupdat… (#CABarExam 🔗) and bit.ly/3Tnd1F0 (FYLSE 🔗)

CA Attorneys: Have you submitted your MCLE compliance statement and/or paid the $106 noncompliance fee? You must comply by 6/30, to avoid being placed on administrative inactive status effective 7/1. View step‑by‑step instructions and video walkthrough: bit.ly/4nbJpIX

James R. Thompson [#136954] of Santa Monica disbarred for misappropriation of client funds, failure to maintain funds in trust account, failure to render accounts, commingling, and other violations. Effective discipline date: 4/25/26 — discipline history: bit.ly/4tUmjcn