The California Supreme Court has issued decisions on several proposals from the State Bar, affecting attorney discipline and licensing for military personnel. The court declined to approve a proposal that would have reduced monetary sanctions for attorneys facing disciplinary action. This proposal sought to lower fines for disbarment from $5,000 to $1,000 and eliminate existing sanctions for suspensions and resignations with charges pending. However, the court did approve certain amendments clarifying how attorneys can pay these sanctions in installments.
Additionally, the court rejected a plan to allow automatic expungement of an attorney’s public disciplinary record after eight years without further infractions.
Regarding military licensure, the court approved changes to rule 9.41.1 of the California Rules of Court with modifications. These changes align state rules with recent federal updates under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which require states to honor professional licenses held by military personnel and their spouses from other states, subject to some restrictions. The court added provisions prohibiting applicants with prior disciplinary records or ongoing investigations in other states from qualifying under this rule and mandated background checks.
The Supreme Court also appointed Alison Worthington, currently assistant city attorney for Pasadena, as a judge in the Los Angeles Hearing Department of the State Bar Court. She will fill the vacancy left by Judge Cynthia Valenzuela, who was appointed last December to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Worthington’s term begins November 1.
