State Bar Court Defense for California Attorneys Facing Disciplinary Charges

Once a Notice of Disciplinary Charges is filed, a California attorney’s case moves from investigation into formal prosecution before the State Bar Court. At this stage, the Office of Chief Trial Counsel is no longer gathering information. It is building a record intended to support discipline, often including suspension or disbarment.

State Bar Court proceedings are governed by a distinct set of procedural rules, evidentiary standards, and discipline frameworks that differ significantly from civil litigation. The court evaluates alleged misconduct through the Rules of Professional Conduct and the California Standards for Attorney Sanctions, applying aggravating and mitigating factors to determine the appropriate discipline. Outcomes are shaped not only by the alleged conduct, but by credibility, documentation, procedural posture, and strategic decisions made early in the case.

Attorneys facing State Bar Court proceedings must navigate hearings, discovery obligations, motion practice, and evidentiary presentations before a specialized tribunal. Decisions such as whether to contest allegations, seek negotiated resolution, or address interim restrictions can have lasting consequences for licensure and future reinstatement eligibility.

This page explains how State Bar Court discipline proceedings work, what to expect after an NDC is filed, and how attorneys typically approach defense strategy at this stage. This information is educational and procedural in nature. Every case is fact-specific, and no outcome can be guaranteed.