Board Moves Toward Stabilizing Admissions Fund While Minimizing Impact

At its November 20-21 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved raising Admissions Fund fees based on the recommended staff option, except for general applicants for the California Bar Exam and applicants for the Practical Training of Law Students program. Those fees will only be increased by the Consumer Price Index (3.3 percent). The Board's action-to be implemented in 2026-will begin to address a critical structural deficit and rebuild depleted reserves that have been strained by unanticipated costs resulting from the February 2025 exam, including several million dollars in fee waivers issued as part of remedial measures and the return to in-person administration.

"Our actions reflect the Board's responsibility as it moves toward stabilizing the Admissions Fund while being mindful of bar exam applicants seeking to enter the legal profession," said Board Chair José Cisneros. "We took a careful, measured approach to limit the impact to applicants and raise other fees only as necessary to address the deficit and preserve the State Bar's ability to administer admissions programs effectively. We remain committed to transparency, fiscal stewardship, and supporting applicants as we move forward."

In other actions, the Board:

• Approved the State Bar's Generative AI Framework, an effort initiated and led by the Audit Committee. This action follows the recent deployment of Copilot Chat across the organization and the Office of Chief Trial Counsel's (OCTC) development of case-related AI uses supported by strict safeguards, including multilevel prompt testing and mandatory human review. This is a critical moment for establishing a formal AI framework, given rapid advances in generative AI and the State Bar's need to maintain service levels with a reduced workforce. The framework includes a refined risk-classification system and a structured risk-assessment rubric, as well as clear procedures for evaluating, implementing, and monitoring AI projects-all supported with oversight by two dedicated governing bodies that will ensure responsible and secure AI adoption.
• Approved OCTC's Annual Discipline Report, which shows that fiscal year (FY) 2025 marks the third consecutive year of incoming case growth for OCTC, with the rate accelerating. OCTC opened 21,205 cases (up 17 percent from FY 2024), driven almost entirely by increased complaints. OCTC also resolved 20,586 cases (up 8.4 percent from FY 2024, and the highest number of resolutions since FY 2018, which was the earliest fiscal year reported on after the 2023 change to fiscal year reporting). The statutorily required report will now be submitted to the Chief Justice of California, the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the President pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees.
• Adopted new rule 2.3 of the State Bar Rules to implement the Supreme Court's September 25, 2025, "civility oath" amendments to rule 9.7, which require licensees and Special Admissions Attorneys to declare adherence to the oath language as part of the annual renewal cycle. The Board adopted interim rule 2.3 for 120 days while circulating the proposed new rule for a 30-day public comment period. Under the rule, a licensee's failure to timely declare adherence to the oath will result in a noncompliance fee and may lead to involuntary inactive enrollment. The update also aligns noncompliance procedures and deadlines with other reporting requirements to ensure consistent implementation for the 2026 renewal cycle.
• Approved proposed amendments to Rule of Professional Conduct 7.3 (Solicitation of Clients) for submission to the California Supreme Court. The changes, developed by the State Bar's Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (COPRAC), would, if approved by the Court, add a new paragraph and comment to prohibit lawyers from soliciting professional employment from respondents in domestic violence restraining order proceedings until after the respondent has been served and proof of service appears on the court docket. This amendment is intended to protect petitioners from heightened risk of abuse, violence, or death that may result from premature solicitation, in alignment with the State Bar's public protection mission.
• Approved proposed amendments to rule 8.2 and rule 8.4, developed by COPRAC in response to the California Judges Association's request following increased public criticism, threats, and violence against judges. Current rule 8.2 prohibits lawyers from making false statements or statements made with reckless disregard about the qualifications or integrity of judicial officers or candidates. The amended comment clarifies that even statements framed as opinion may result in discipline if they imply false, objectively verifiable facts made with knowledge or reckless disregard of their truth or falsity.

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