The State Bar of California's Attorney Search features records of an attorney's history from admission to the State Bar to present.
Public Records of Discipline
First, check theonlineAttorney Search for available records.
Docketsfor State Bar Court cases are available online. A docket is a summary, list or index of the proceedings or events in a case.It may also include court documents. To search for a docket, you will need the case number or attorney name.
- Documents for most public cases filed since 2000 are available online.
- Documents are added to online dockets as events occur.
- Some documents for public cases filed prior to 2000 are available on the attorney's profile page on the State Bar website, or on the public docket. Additional documents for closed cases are available upon written request (see instructions below.)
ConfidentialProceedings / SealedRecords
Confidential proceedings and sealed records are not available for public viewing and therefore are not available online. However, parties to confidential proceedings, or parties to proceedings where documents have been sealed, can make an appointment to view the Original Court File. See “Appointment to View OfficialCourt File ” section below.
Certified Public Records of Discipline
Requests for certified copies of discipline documents may be requested by mail oremail using thisform.Requests should include the following information:
- The full name of the attorney;
- Attorney's license number;
- Case number(s); and
- Specific document(s) requested.
Documents will be sentby email unless otherwise requested.
The State Bar Court charges a $25.00 certification fee per case. In the event the copying cost exceeds $25.00 for a particular case, you will be notified.
Please make your check or money order payable to the State Bar of California.
You may email your completed form toSBCDisciplineCopies@statebarcourt.ca.govor mail the completedformand/or your check/money orderto:
State Bar Court
Discipline Copies
845 SouthFigueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-2515
The request for certified records will not be processed until the State Bar Court receives the certification fee(s) by mail or in person at the filing window.
Please call 213-765-1400 if you have any questions.
Judicial Administrative Records
Effective January 1, 2018, access to judicial administrative records maintained by the State Bar Court is governed by rule 10.500of the California Rules of Court. Rule 10.500 sets forth comprehensive public access provisions applicable to these records.
A judicial administrative record is defined as:
any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the people's business that is prepared, owned, used, or retained by a judicial branch entity regardless of the writing's physical form or characteristics, except an adjudicative record. The term "judicial administrative record" does not include records of a personal nature that are not used in or do not relate to the people's business, such as personal notes, memoranda, electronic mail, calendar entries and records of Internet use.
Records relating to specific cases are "adjudicative records" and are not governed by this rule.
The State Bar Court makes identifiable judicial administrative records available for inspection upon request unless the records are exempt from disclosure. If you would like copies of public records of discipline, please refer to the instructions above.
If you would like to requestjudicial administrative records maintained by State Bar Court, you may make a request in person at the State Bar Court, or by email, mail or telephone. The State Bar encourages requesters to submit a Request for Judicial Administrative Records form and email it to statebarcourt@statebarcourt.ca.gov or mail it to:
The State Bar of California
ATTN: State Bar Court
845 SouthFigueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-2515
Submitting the written form helps focus the request, avoids miscommunication and ensures that the requester receives a response as soon as possible. If a requester needs assistance in formulating a request, please emailstatebarcourt@statebarcourt.ca.gov.
Response Time:The State Bar Court has 10 days to respond to a judicial administrative records request from the date the request is received. This response will typically inform the requester whether the State Bar Court has responsive public records, when the records will be available for inspection or copying, the anticipated cost of providing copies and whether any exemptions apply. Under certain circ*mstances, the State Bar Court may write to the requester and invoke a 14-day extension.
Fees: You may be charged fees that reflect the direct costs of duplication or production. In addition, you may be charged fees that reflect actual costs of staff search and review time expended on a commercial use request. Payment may be required before records are duplicated or produced. See rule 10.500(e)(4) and thePublic Access to Judicial Administrative Records Fee Guidelines.
Appointment to View OriginalCourt File
Call 213-765-1400 at least 24 hours in advanceto make an appointment to view the OfficialCourt File of a public record of discipline.Copies of documents from the OriginalCourt File cannot be provided at the time of appointment. However, documents to be copied can be selected and payment deposited with the clerk. Documents will be mailed within 10 days.
