Attorneys.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Passed
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to strengthen regulations around attorneys’ conduct and financial practices. It prohibits employers, law firms, and attorneys from retaliating against individuals who report potential violations of the State Bar Act or California Rules of Professional Conduct. The bill also introduces new rules regarding attorney-client loans, specifically requiring written contracts with detailed terms and prohibiting interest charges. Furthermore, it addresses illegal ‘capping’ – soliciting clients through inflated fees – by increasing penalties and establishing summarily disbarment procedures for convictions.
Key provisions
- Prohibits retaliation against individuals who report violations of the State Bar Act or California Rules of Professional Conduct.
- Requires written contracts for attorney-client loans, including detailed repayment terms and prohibiting interest charges.
- Addresses ‘capping’ by increasing civil penalties and establishing summarily disbarment procedures for felony or misdemeanor convictions.
- Adds provisions to the State Bar Act to align with the Labor Code’s protections against employer retaliation.
- Introduces a new section (6149.6) regulating attorney-client loans to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure client autonomy.
- Increases civil penalties for violations of the ‘capping’ provisions to $25,000 per violation.
- Mandates the State Bar to enact summarily disbarment procedures for licensees convicted of felony or misdemeanor offenses related to ‘capping’.
Who is affected
Bill text
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