Those who violate State Bar rules may be suspended from practicing law or even disbarred. Practicing while on an involuntary inactive status is a criminal offense under California Business and Professions Code Section 6126(b) BPC and can result in felony charges.
An attorney may be placed on administrative inactive status (not eligible to practice law) for failure to comply with the MCLE requirement.
Rule 2.30 Inactive license status. (A) Any licensee not under suspension, who does not engage in any of the activities listed in (B) in California, may, upon written request, be enrolled as an inactive licensee.
To transfer to active status Under California Rule of Court 9.9. 5, all inactive licensed attorneys must be fingerprinted prior to being placed on active status. As such, before you submit your Request to Transfer to Active Status form, please review and complete the fingerprinting rule requirements.
CALIFORNIA: The state does not offer reciprocity, but offers a shorter bar examination for attorneys licensed in other states with good standing for at least four years prior to application.Aug 19, 2021
“Under California law, the practice of law includes the preparation of contracts and other documents that secure legal rights, whether the matter is pending in court or not. Preparation of stipulations and releases constitutes the practice of law.
Voters become “inactive” from the Voting List when they (1) do not respond to the Annual Listing of Residents; (2) move within the City and do not submit a change of address with the Election Department; or (3) move out of the City and have not registered to vote in their new city or town.
Those listed as Registered Military Spouse Attorneys (RMSA) are out-of-state attorneys. They have complied with rules permitting them to practice in California on a limited basis.
Failure to pay dues or comply with MCLE requirements can lead to administrative suspension of a law license. For further information, call 1-888-800-3400 or e-mail msc@calbar.ca.gov.
In order to process a refund according to the schedule, the State Bar's Office of Admissions must receive a withdrawal request through the Admissions Applicant Portal no later than the established deadlines.
In order to change an official name, your request must be accompanied by copies of four identity documents; two identity documents showing the requestor's former name and two identity documents showing the requestor's new name. Also Known As (AKA) designations are part of an attorney's public, official attorney record.
Members of the bar shall be divided into active and inactive membership classes which shall be defined as follows: (a) "Active member" means any person admitted to practice law in this state and who is engaged in the practice of law in this state.