California Supreme Court Returns 24 Lawyer Discipline Cases to State Bar for Second Look
Apparently, the California Supreme Court believes the state bar was too easy on lawyers in 24 discipline cases.
The California Supreme Court has returned those cases to the bar for a second look, according to a state bar press release. The court’s order cites two cases in which the state supreme court imposed harsher discipline than the bar recommended, suggesting that the proposed discipline in the 24 cases was too lenient, the press release says. The Legal Ethics Forum and the Metropolitan News-Enterprise have reports.
The release has a quote from state bar executive director Joe Dunn. “The court’s action, while unanticipated, is consistent with the efforts already underway at the state bar to tighten the professional standards governing California attorneys,” Dunn said.
The press release says the cases returned to the state bar predate new policies requiring management approval of proposed discipline to ensure consistency and maximum public protection.
