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Writer's pictureLawyer Referral Center

The State Bar Of California & Lawyer Referral Policy

Updated: Dec 5, 2022

How to find the best California lawyer using a certified lawyer referral service.



The California State Bar is California's official licensing agency for attorneys. It is responsible for administering lawyers' admission to the practice of law, reviewing professional misconduct allegations, prescribing reasonable supervision, authorizing attorney-member fees, and financially distributing amounts paid to finance non-profit legal agencies through attorney trust accounts.


The Supreme Court of California is directly liable, but the Supreme Court, the California Legislature, and the California Governor now appoint its trustees. Both admissions and disbarment of attorneys shall be provided as guidelines of the State Bar, which the Supreme Court shall then annually ratify.


History Of The State Bar Of California


On July 29, 1927, when the California State Bar Act went into effect, the State Bar was legally established. With over 190.000 active members as of October 2020, the State Bar of California is the largest in the United States. It is centralized in San Francisco, with a Los Angeles branch office. The San Francisco offices of the State Bar are located on several floors of this office complex.


At its inception, the State Bar was a "unified" bar, in which disciplinary positions and more conventional "bar association" positions were merged into one body. The State Bar was divided into two bodies in 2018-2019: a stand-alone body became California's State Bar.


A voluntary association referred to as the California Bar Association was the precursor to the State Bar. Judge Jeremiah F. Sullivan, who first suggested the idea at the Santa Barbara Convention of the CBA in September 1917, and provided the CBA with a copy of a Quebec statute as a model, was the leader of the effort to create an integrated (official) bar.


Setting up an integrated bar in California took nearly ten years. BASF committees were organized by Sullivan, who was also the President of the Bar Association of San Francisco, to draft and recommend suitable legislation. Both BASF-drafted bills died in 1919 and 1921 in the California Legislature.


the california state bar attorney search

Sullivan eventually convinced the CBA to take action on his initiative in 1922; the CBA proposed a new bill, lobbied for support from lawyers and politicians across the state, and convinced the Legislature in 1925 to approve the bill. Governor Friend Richardson's pocket veto destroyed the bill.


The CBA tried again after two more years of lobbying. On March 16, 1927, Governor C. C. Young signed the State Bar Act into law. The Supreme Court of California appointed the State Bar Commission on May 12, 1927, which created the State Bar of California as an operating body. The State Bar sent out registration forms immediately (demanding a $3 pre-organization fee as approved by the Act) to all California lawyers. Every attorney was given identification numbers when they registered; State Bar Number 1 went to Chief Justice William H. Waste, in particular.


By October 1, 1927, a total of 7,872 attorneys had enrolled. These attorneys then voted by mail for the first Governors' Board of the State Bar. The State Bar organized a pre-organization dinner at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco on November 17, followed by the next day's formal organizational meeting. Nine thousand six hundred-two lawyers had registered by the time the dinner began. During the State Bar's organizational meeting the next morning, the CBA conceded to its next successor ending its corporate activities.


Can The State Bar Of California Refer Me To An Attorney?


No, the State Bar of California is the regulatory body for the admission and discipline of California attorneys. The State Bar is not an attorney referral service and does not offer any legal advice or guide someone requesting a referral to a particular lawyer or conducting a search for a specific case for an attorney.


California State Bar Certified Lawyer Referral Service


1000Attorneys.com - California State Bar Attorney Search is regulated by statute as a licensed lawyer referral service (section 6155 of the Business & Professions Code and Title 3 of the State Bar Codes. Programs and Services. Category 5. Providers of Programs and Services. Chapter 3. Lawyer Referral Services).


If you need a lawyer referral in California, you may submit your case details by clicking here or by calling our 24-lawyer referral hotline at 1-661-310-7999


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California State Bar Certified Lawyer Referral And Information Service

Welcome to 1000Attorneys.com, a Lawyer Referral and Information Service certified and approved by the California State Bar.

"Our commitment is to provide you with unbiased and impartial lawyer referrals."

 

Unlike other services, we maintain complete independence from the lawyers receiving these referrals, ensuring transparency and fairness.

While we specialize in California employment law and personal injury claims, we offer our referral services for various other legal areas.

 

At 1000Attorneys.com, we aim to ensure you are connected with best California attorney near you who can provide comprehensive and exceptional representation for your specific legal needs.

 

We understand that every legal situation is unique and are dedicated to finding the best match for you.

 

With our extensive network of attorneys, we strive to deliver outstanding legal support and guidance tailored to your individual requirements.

At 1000Attorneys.com, we hold California attorneys to the highest standards of professional conduct.

 

Your satisfaction and confidence in the legal representation you receive are paramount to us.

 

Rest assured that when you engage in our services, you can expect nothing less than exceptional legal support and guidance.

Why Lawyer Referrals Matter

 

The California State Bar investigates on average 16,000 complaints of professional misconduct by attorneys annually.

We conduct due diligence by researching and recommending the best local attorney for your case. 

 

Our team of experts verifies that attorneys are in good standing and have the required experience in the type of law related to your legal issue. 

Learn more about attorney discipline here.

 

Our History 

 

Since 2005, we have been dedicated to helping individuals find reliable legal representation in California.

 

We understand the challenges people face when trying to locate reputable lawyers, especially when inundated with self-promoting advertisements and biased marketing from law firms.

 

At our service, we strive to cut through the noise and provide a trustworthy and unbiased platform for connecting individuals with reputable California lawyers.

 

Our clients receive quality legal representation without the frustration and uncertainty often associated with legal advertising.

How the LRS Works 


Anyone seeking competent and honest legal representation in California, can request a FREE lawyer referral. 

Once you submit your case details online, our legal 24-hour legal department will review your claim and reply via email. Most cases are reviewed and answered within 15 minutes. 

 

A free 30 minute consultation with the attorney will be offered to each referred client. 

A representative will follow up a few days later via email with the client after receiving a referral for quality management purposes, or to obtain the status of the case. 

About lawyers from our network


California lawyers in our network are insured, in good standing with the California State Bar, and have substantial experience in their practice area.

 

Attorneys are available in most areas of law throughout Southern California. Every lawyer in or network has been vetted for:

  • Credentials

  • Education

  • Communication skills

  • Performance

  • Client reviews

  • Fair legal fees

  • Continuing education

  • Professional affiliations

Additionally, we conduct criminal  background checks and attorneys are always monitored by our service.  

How to find the best lawyer for your legal case: 

1. The fastest way to have your legal issue reviewed by one of our attorneys is to send your details online.

 

Your information will go directly to our 24 hour legal department bypassing our call center. You will get a reply via email within 15 minutes. 

2. You may also inquire about your legal issue via email. We respond to email inquiries within 24 hours M-F. 

3. By calling our lawyer referral hotline 661-310-7999. However, our agents are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. Due to high call volumes, it's highly recommended that you use option # 1 above. 

 

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