The State Bar of California has several options when administering discipline in ethics investigations where the lawyer is found to be running afoul of the ethics rules. Some of the disciplinary actions the State of Bar of California may take are private or public reprimand, sanctions, suspension, and disbarment. Additionally, the California Bar also has the discretion of placing a lawyer on probation.
Related: Facing Disbarment in California? Tips from Statebarplaybook.com
Successful Completion of Probation Relies on Remaining Compliant with the California Bar
There is little leeway when it comes to successful completion of probation as a lawyer. You have quarterly reports that must be completed. You’ll have deadlines that you must meet. You’ll have restitution payments that you must remember to make. You’ll likely be ordered to complete certain programs to help you avoid future ethics complaints.
Although this may seem much easier to deal with than a suspension or disbarment, you must remember that all of the probation requirements assigned to you by the State Bar of California must be completed while you continue to run your practice. Noncompliance could result in consequences that are much more serious than the original punishment.
Related: California Bar Discipline: Which Factors Matter the Most?
Fulfilling Your Probation Obligations Requires a Plan
Because of the increased obligations you must meet, it’s important that you have a plan that helps you. Depending on the initial cause of the ethics complaint, you may need to:
- Review your law firm management plan.
- Embrace better organization of your office, files, and your life.
- Implement legal technology, such as timekeeping and billing.
- Hiring the support you need to stay on track.
- If necessary, get help for mental health issues or substance abuse issues.
It’s important to recognize that you need to find solutions that help you fulfill your probation obligations and manage your law firm. Failure to recognize this could mean that you’re putting yourself at risk for both violating probation and to have future ethics complaints filed against you.
Related: Lawyer Ethics Complaint: How This Terrible Experience Could Be a Vital Wakeup Call
Zavieh Law Provides Probation Compliance Services
In addition to providing comprehensive ethics defense solutions for lawyers facing investigation by the State Bar of California, Zavieh Law also provides a comprehensive probation compliance service. We can help lawyers finalize a schedule that includes fulfilling probation compliance requirements, provide timely reminders so that restitution payments are made, assist with the completion of your quarterly report, and provide guidance to improve your interaction with the probation department if that is necessary. By providing California bar probation compliance assistance, we help lawyers keep their focus where it belongs: on their practice. To learn more about our probation compliance offerings, click here.