reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.

6140. (a) The board shall fix the annual license fee for active licensees for 2024 at a sum not exceeding three hundred ninety dollars ($390).
(b) The annual license fee for active licensees is payable on or before the first day of February of each year. If the board finds it appropriate and feasible, it may provide by rule for payment of fees on an installment basis with interest, by credit card, or by other means, and may charge licensees choosing any alternative method of payment an additional fee to defray costs incurred by that election.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 697, Sec. 22. (SB 40) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.02.

6140.02. (a) The California Lawyers Association shall adopt a dues schedule for membership and shall provide that schedule to the State Bar by October 1 of each year.
(b) Payment of dues for membership in the California Lawyers Association and individual sections of the California Lawyers Association is voluntary. Each licensee of the State Bar shall have the option of joining the California Lawyers Association and one or more individual sections by including the dues set by the schedule established pursuant to subdivision (a) with that State Bar licensee’s annual license fees. Any contribution or membership option included with a State Bar of California mandatory fees billing statement shall include a statement that the California Lawyers Association is not a part of the State Bar and that membership in that organization is voluntary.
(c) The State Bar shall collect, in conjunction with the collection of its annual license fees under Section 6140, membership fees for the California Lawyers Association as provided by subdivision (b) of Section 6031.5.
(d) This section is not intended to limit the California Lawyers Association membership to licensees of the State Bar or restrict the California Lawyers Association from collecting membership dues or donations by other means.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 94. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.03.

6140.03. (a) The board shall increase each of the annual license fees fixed by Sections 6140 and 6141 by an additional forty-five dollars ($45), to be allocated only for the purposes established pursuant to Section 6033 and subdivision (b), except to the extent that a licensee elects not to support those activities.
(b) (1) Five dollars ($5) of the forty-five-dollar ($45) fee shall be allocated to qualified legal services projects or qualified support centers, as defined in Section 6213, to fund law student summer fellowships for the purpose of supporting law students interested in pursuing a career in legal services for indigent persons. The State Bar shall not make any deductions from the five dollars ($5) for any reason, including, but not limited to, administrative fees, costs, or expenses of the State Bar.
(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5), funds shall be allocated pursuant to a competitive grant process administered by the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission and not through the formula set forth in Section 6216.
(3) In awarding these grants, preference shall be given to fund proposals for fellowships serving rural or underserved communities and that serve clients regardless of immigration or citizenship status.
(4) Any funds under paragraph (1) not allocated as of January 1, 2025, shall be distributed to qualified legal services projects and support centers pursuant to the formula set forth in Section 6216.
(5) The allocation described in this subdivision shall remain in effect until December 31, 2024, and after that date, the entire forty-five dollars ($45) shall be allocated only for the purposes established pursuant to Section 6033.
(c) The invoice provided to licensees for payment of the annual license fee shall provide each licensee the option of deducting forty-five dollars ($45) from the annual license fee if the licensee elects not to have this amount allocated for the purposes established pursuant to Section 6033.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2023.
(Amended (as added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 360, Sec. 8) by Stats. 2022, Ch. 419, Sec. 6. (AB 2958) Effective September 18, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.05.

6140.05. (a) At the election of the board, the invoice provided to licensees for payment of the annual license fee may provide each licensee the option of adding up to five dollars ($5) to the annual fee if the licensee elects to support lobbying and related activities by the State Bar outside of the parameters established by the United States Supreme Court in Keller v. State Bar of California (1990) 496 U.S. 1.
(b) For the support or defense of lobbying and related activities conducted by the State Bar on or after January 1, 2000, outside of the parameters of Keller v. State Bar of California, and in support or defense of any litigation arising therefrom, the Board of Trustees of the State Bar shall not expend a sum exceeding the amount paid by licensees pursuant to the optional increase for lobbying and related activities, as set forth in subdivision (a).
(c) As used in this section, “lobbying and related activities by the State Bar” includes the consideration of measures by the Board of Trustees of the State Bar that are deemed outside the parameters established in Keller v. State Bar, the purview determination, lobbying and the preparation for lobbying of the measures, and any litigation in support or defense of that lobbying.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2023.
(Repealed (in Sec. 7) and added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 419, Sec. 8. (AB 2958) Effective September 18, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.1.

6140.1. (a) The State Bar annually shall submit its adopted final budget by February 28, so that the budget can be reviewed and approved in conjunction with any bill that would authorize the imposition of license fees. Each budget shall include the estimated revenues, expenditures, and staffing levels for all of the programs and funds administered by the State Bar. In addition to the final budget, the submission shall also include the proposed budget for the following year. Any bill that authorizes the imposition of license fees shall be a fiscal bill and shall be referred to the appropriate fiscal committees; provided, however, that the bill may be approved by a majority vote.
(b) The State Bar shall submit the budget documents in a form comparable to the documents prepared by state departments for inclusion in the Governor’s Budget and the salaries and wages supplement. In addition, the bar shall provide supplementary schedules detailing operating expenses and equipment, all revenue sources, any reimbursements or interfund transfers, fund balances, and other related supporting documentation. The bar shall submit budget change proposals with its final budget, explaining the need for any differences between the current and proposed budgets.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 97. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.12.

6140.12. The board shall complete and implement a five-year strategic plan to be updated every two years. In conjunction with the submission of the board’s adopted final budget as required by Section 6140.1, the chair shall report to the Supreme Court, the Governor, and the Senate and Assembly Committees on Judiciary on the measures the board has taken to implement the strategic plan and shall indicate the measures the board will need to take in the remaining years of the strategic plan to address the projected needs contained in the plan.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 98. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.16.

6140.16. (a) To align its staffing with its mission to protect the public as provided in Section 6001.1 and to provide guidance to the State Bar and the Legislature in allocating resources, the State Bar shall develop and implement a workforce plan for its discipline system and conduct a public sector compensation and benefits study. The workforce plan and compensation study shall be used to reassess the numbers and classifications of staff required to conduct the activities of the State Bar’s disciplinary activities.
(b) The workforce planning shall include the development and recommendation of an appropriate backlog goal, an assessment of the staffing needed to achieve that goal while ensuring that the discipline process is not compromised, and the creation of policies and procedures sufficient to provide adequate guidance to the staff of each unit within the discipline system.
(c) In addition to the requirements in subdivisions (a) and (b), the State Bar shall conduct a thorough analysis of its priorities and necessary operating costs and develop a spending plan, which includes its fund balances, to determine a reasonable amount for the annual license fee that reflects its actual or known costs and those to implement its workforce plan.
(d) The State Bar shall submit a report on its workforce plan and spending plan to the Legislature by May 15, 2016, so that the plans can be reviewed in conjunction with the bill that would authorize the imposition of the State Bar’s license fee. The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. The State Bar shall complete and implement its workforce plan by December 31, 2016.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 99. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.2.

6140.2. The State Bar shall set as a goal the improvement of its disciplinary system so that no more than six months will elapse from the receipt of complaints to the time of dismissal, admonishment of the attorney involved, or the filing of formal charges by the State Bar Office of Trial Counsel. As to complaints designated as complicated matters by the Chief Trial Counsel, it shall be the goal and policy of the State Bar to dismiss a complaint, admonish the attorney, or have the State Bar Office of Trial Counsel file formal charges within 12 months after it receives a complaint alleging attorney misconduct.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 723, Sec. 7. (SB 211) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.37.

6140.37. The State Bar shall have a preference for using in-house employees for information technology projects, whenever possible. Nothing in this section shall be read to be inconsistent with any memorandum of understanding between the State Bar and the recognized employee organizations or any relevant principles of labor law.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 2, Sec. 3. (SB 55) Effective January 25, 2010.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.55.

6140.55. (a) The board may increase the annual license fees fixed by it pursuant to Section 6140 by an additional amount per active licensee not to exceed forty dollars ($40), and the annual license fees fixed by it pursuant to Section 6141 by an additional amount per inactive licensee not to exceed ten dollars ($10), in any year, the additional amount to be applied only for the purposes of the Client Security Fund and the costs of its administration, including, but not limited to, the costs of processing, determining, defending, or insuring claims against the fund.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the board may disburse or appropriate any excess funds not needed to support the Client Security Fund, including reserve funds, to the State Bar’s general fund.
(2) Any funds disbursed or transferred pursuant to paragraph (1) shall first be used to cover salaries and benefits of employees in bargaining units for which a memorandum of understanding has been agreed to by the State Bar before being used for any other purpose.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 697, Sec. 24. (SB 40) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 25 of Stats. 2023, Ch. 697.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.55.

6140.55. (a) The board may increase the annual license fees fixed by it pursuant to Section 6140 by an additional amount per active licensee not to exceed forty dollars ($40), and the annual license fees fixed by it pursuant to Section 6141 by an additional amount per inactive licensee not to exceed ten dollars ($10), in any year, the additional amount to be applied only for the purposes of the Client Security Fund and the costs of its administration, including, but not limited to, the costs of processing, determining, defending, or insuring claims against the fund.
(b) This section shall be operative on January 1, 2025.
(Repealed (in Sec. 24) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 697, Sec. 25. (SB 40) Effective January 1, 2024. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.56.

6140.56. (a) To ensure that the Client Security Fund can adequately protect the public and relieve or mitigate financial losses caused by the dishonest conduct of licensees of the State Bar by paying claims in a timely manner, the State Bar shall conduct a thorough analysis of the Client Security Fund, including a review of the State Bar’s oversight of the Client Security Fund, to ensure that the structure provides for the most effective and efficient operation of the fund, a determination of the ongoing needs of the fund to satisfy claims in a timely manner, a review of additional efforts that can be taken to increase the collection of payments from the responsible attorneys, and a review of other State Bar expenditures to determine whether other expenditures that do not directly impact the State Bar’s public protection functions, including, but not limited to, executive salaries and benefits, can be reduced or redirected in order to better fund the Client Security Fund through existing revenue, and, whether, after all other options have been fully and thoroughly exhausted, an increase in license fees is necessary to ensure that the Client Security Fund can timely pay claims.
(b) The State Bar shall submit a report on its analysis of the Client Security Fund to the Legislature by March 15, 2018, so that the plans can be reviewed in conjunction with the bill that would authorize the imposition of the State Bar’s license fee. The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(c) For purposes of this section, “timely manner” means within 12 months from either the time the claim is received by the State Bar or the resolution of the underlying discipline case involving an attorney licensee that is a prerequisite to paying the claim, whichever is later.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 102. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.6.

6140.6. The board may increase the annual license fees fixed by Sections 6140 and 6141 by an additional amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) to be applied to the costs of the disciplinary system.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 103. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.7.

6140.7. Costs assessed against a licensee publicly reproved or suspended, where suspension is stayed and the licensee is not actually suspended, shall be added to and become a part of the license fee of the licensee, for the next calendar year. Unless time for payment of discipline costs is extended pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 6086.10, costs assessed against a licensee who resigns with disciplinary charges pending or by a licensee who is actually suspended or disbarred shall be paid as a condition of applying for reinstatement of his or her license to practice law or return to active license status.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 104. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.8.

6140.8. (a) Any order imposing upon a licensee public reproval, discipline, or accepting a resignation with a disciplinary matter pending, in which the licensee is ordered to pay restitution is enforceable as a money judgment by the payee. In the entry or enforcement of any money judgment based on such order, the payee shall reduce the amount owed by the licensee to the payee by any reimbursement received by the payee from the Client Security Fund or by any amount received as criminal restitution ordered pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4 of the Penal Code, or by the combined amount, if applicable.
(b) A money judgment entered pursuant to this section shall not affect the right of a payee to file an application with the Client Security Fund to recover any portion of the subject restitution as provided by Section 6140.5, or as otherwise provided by law.
(c) A payee or other applicant who files an application with the Client Security Fund has an ongoing obligation to inform the Client Security Fund as to any payment recovered directly or indirectly from the attorney or any other source.
(d) To the extent that a payee or other applicant has already collected on any portion of the loss, the Client Security Fund may reduce any qualifying reimbursable amount by the amount collected.
(e) To the extent that the Client Security Fund reimburses a payee or other applicant, as provided in Section 6140.5, the licensee or former licensee shall reimburse the Client Security Fund for that payment.
(f) As used in this section, “payee” means an individual or entity who is identified as the beneficiary of restitution in any order imposing upon a licensee public reproval, discipline, or accepting a resignation with a disciplinary matter pending, in which the licensee is ordered to pay restitution to such individual or entity.
(Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 360, Sec. 10. (AB 3362) Effective January 1, 2021.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6140.9.

6140.9. (a) Moneys for the support of the program established pursuant to Article 15 (commencing with Section 6230), treatment services for those who cannot afford to pay, and related programs approved by the committee established pursuant to Section 6231 shall be paid in whole or part by a fee of ten dollars ($10) per active licensee per year, and by a fee of five dollars ($5) per inactive licensee per year, except that for 2020 only, the fee shall be one dollar ($1) per active licensee and zero dollars ($0) per inactive licensee. The State Bar is not required to expend any additional funds to either support those programs or to provide treatment services for those who cannot afford to pay.
(b) On and after January 1, 2019, one dollar ($1) of the ten-dollar ($10) fee paid by each active licensee pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be transferred by the State Bar to a statewide nonprofit corporation established by attorneys that has, for the last 25 years or more, provided peer support to attorneys recovering from alcohol and substance abuse in a confidential and anonymous manner, to fund the support of recovery efforts of the nonprofit corporation. In 2020 only, the statewide nonprofit corporation shall receive the one-dollar ($1) fee paid by each active licensee.
(c) Any nonprofit corporation that receives funds pursuant to subdivision (b) shall submit an annual report to the State Bar accounting for the use of the funds. The report shall be submitted to the State Bar no later than March 1, 2020, and no later than March 1 of each year thereafter. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) An accounting of all receipts and expenditures of the funds.
(2) The balance of the funds as of the end of the previous calendar year.
(3) A brief narrative describing the goals of the work supported by the expenditures.
(4) A summary of the number of clients served, the modality of treatment, and any outcome data on the impact of the treatment.
(d) The board may seek alternative sources for funding the program. Any excess funds not needed to support the program, including reserve funds, may be transferred to fund the Client Security Fund established pursuant to Section 6140.5, provided there are sufficient funds available to fully support the program.
(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025.
(Repealed (in Sec. 26) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 697, Sec. 27. (SB 40) Effective January 1, 2024. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6141.

6141. (a) The board shall fix the annual license fee for inactive licensees at a sum not exceeding ninety-seven dollars and forty cents ($97.40). The annual license fee for inactive licensees is payable on or before the first day of February of each year.
(b) An inactive licensee shall not be required to pay the annual license fee for inactive licensees for any calendar year following the calendar year in which the licensee attains 70 years of age.
(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 697, Sec. 28. (SB 40) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6141.1.

6141.1. (a) The payment by any licensee of the annual license fee, any portion thereof, or any penalty thereon, may be waived by the board as it may provide by rule. The board may require submission of recent federal and state income tax returns and other proof of financial condition as to those licensees seeking waiver of all or a portion of their fee or penalties on the ground of financial hardship.
(b) The board shall adopt a rule or rules providing that an active licensee who can demonstrate total gross annual individual income from all sources of less than sixty thousand four hundred and seventy-eight dollars and thirty-five cents ($60,478.35), which is reflective of the previous limit adjusted for 20 years of inflation pursuant to the Consumer Price Index, shall presumptively qualify for a waiver of 25 percent of the annual license fee.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 698, Sec. 15. (SB 176) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6142.

6142. Upon the payment of the annual license fees, including any costs imposed pursuant to Section 6140.7, and penalties imposed pursuant to Section 6143, each licensee shall receive a certificate issued under the direction of the board evidencing the payment.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 109. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6143.

6143. Any licensee, active or inactive, failing to pay any fees, penalties, or costs after they become due, and after two months written notice of his or her delinquency, shall have his or her license suspended.
The licensee may be reinstated upon the payment of accrued fees or costs and such penalties as may be imposed by the board, not exceeding double the amount of delinquent fees, penalties, or costs.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 110. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6143.5.

6143.5. Any licensee, active or inactive, failing to pay any child support after it becomes due shall be subject to Section 17520 of the Family Code.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 111. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6144.

6144. (a) All fees shall be paid into the treasury of the State Bar, and, when so paid, shall become part of its funds.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) and consistent with the reimbursement requirement under Section 6031.5, all fees paid pursuant to Section 6140.02 shall be paid by the State Bar to the Association, and, when paid, shall become part of the funds of the Association.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 422, Sec. 34. (SB 36) Effective January 1, 2018.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6144.1.

6144.1. (a) The net proceeds from the sale of real property, after payment of obligations and encumbrances and reasonable costs of acquiring and relocating its facilities, if any, shall be held by the State Bar without expenditure or commitment for any purpose until approved by the Legislature by statute. The net proceeds from the lease of real property, after payment of obligations and encumbrances and reasonable costs of acquiring and relocating its facilities, if any, shall be used by the State Bar for the protection of the public.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the net proceeds from the sale of the State Bar’s San Francisco office building, after payment of obligations and encumbrances and the minimally reasonable costs of acquiring and relocating its facilities, if any, may be utilized by the State Bar to cover employee salaries, and to cover operational costs associated with the State Bar’s discipline system and administration of the biannual admissions exam.
(c) All proceeds expended not consistent with subdivision (b) shall be held by the State Bar without expenditure or commitment for any purpose until approved by the Legislature by statute.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 697, Sec. 29. (SB 40) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8 - Revenue › Section 6144.5.

6144.5. It is the intent of the Legislature to confirm, validate, and declare effective the annual license fees, and all augmentations, including, but not limited to, those made under Sections 6140.3 and 6140.6, fixed and collected by the board for 1990, and all other acts arising from and related thereto.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 112. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8.5 - Fee Agreements › Section 6147.

6147. (a) An attorney who contracts to represent a client on a contingency fee basis shall, at the time the contract is entered into, provide a duplicate copy of the contract, signed by both the attorney and the client, or the client’s guardian or representative, to the plaintiff, or to the client’s guardian or representative. The contract shall be in writing and shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) A statement of the contingency fee rate that the client and attorney have agreed upon.
(2) A statement as to how disbursements and costs incurred in connection with the prosecution or settlement of the claim will affect the contingency fee and the client’s recovery.
(3) A statement as to what extent, if any, the client could be required to pay any compensation to the attorney for related matters that arise out of their relationship not covered by their contingency fee contract. This may include any amounts collected for the plaintiff by the attorney.
(4) Unless the claim is subject to the provisions of Section 6146, a statement that the fee is not set by law but is negotiable between attorney and client.
(5) If the claim is subject to the provisions of Section 6146, a statement that the rates set forth in that section are the maximum limits for the contingency fee agreement, and that the attorney and client may negotiate a lower rate.
(b) Failure to comply with any provision of this section renders the agreement voidable at the option of the plaintiff, and the attorney shall thereupon be entitled to collect a reasonable fee.
(c) This section shall not apply to contingency fee contracts for the recovery of workers’ compensation benefits.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2000.
(Amended (as amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 479, Sec. 3) by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1104, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1997. Section operative January 1, 2000, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8.5 - Fee Agreements › Section 6147.5.

6147.5. (a) Sections 6147 and 6148 shall not apply to contingency fee contracts for the recovery of claims between merchants as defined in Section 2104 of the Commercial Code, arising from the sale or lease of goods or services rendered, or money loaned for use, in the conduct of a business or profession if the merchant contracting for legal services employs 10 or more individuals.
(b) (1) In the instances in which no written contract for legal services exists as permitted by subdivision (a), an attorney shall not contract for or collect a contingency fee in excess of the following limits:
(A) Twenty percent of the first three hundred dollars ($300) collected.
(B) Eighteen percent of the next one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) collected.
(C) Thirteen percent of sums collected in excess of two thousand dollars ($2,000).
(2) However, the following minimum charges may be charged and collected:
(A) Twenty-five dollars ($25) in collections of seventy-five dollars ($75) to one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125).
(B) Thirty-three and one-third percent of collections less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 713, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8.5 - Fee Agreements › Section 6149.

6149. A written fee contract shall be deemed to be a confidential communication within the meaning of subdivision (e) of Section 6068 and of Section 952 of the Evidence Code.
(Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 475, Sec. 8.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 8.5 - Fee Agreements › Section 6149.5.

6149.5. (a) Upon the payment of one hundred dollars ($100) or more in settlement of any third-party liability claim the insurer shall provide written notice to the claimant if both of the following apply:
(1) The claimant is a natural person.
(2) The payment is delivered to the claimant’s lawyer or other representative by draft, check, or otherwise.
(b) For purposes of this section, “written notice” includes providing to the claimant a copy of the cover letter sent to the claimant’s attorney or other representative that accompanied the settlement payment.
(c) This section shall not create any cause of action for any person against the insurer based upon the insurer’s failure to provide the notice to a claimant required by this section. This section shall not create a defense for any party to any cause of action based upon the insurer’s failure to provide this notice.
(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 479, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1995.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9 - Unlawful Solicitation › Section 6150.

6150. This article is a part of Chapter 4 of this division of the Business and Professions Code, but the phrase “this chapter” as used in Chapter 4 does not apply to the provisions of this article unless expressly made applicable.
(Added by Stats. 1939, Ch. 34.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9 - Unlawful Solicitation › Section 6151.

6151. As used in this article:
(a) A runner or capper is any person, firm, association or corporation acting for consideration in any manner or in any capacity as an agent for an attorney at law or law firm, whether the attorney or any member of the law firm is admitted in California or any other jurisdiction, in the solicitation or procurement of business for the attorney at law or law firm as provided in this article.
(b) An agent is one who represents another in dealings with one or more third persons.
(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 116, Sec. 6.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9 - Unlawful Solicitation › Section 6152.

6152. (a) It is unlawful for:
(1) Any person, in an individual capacity or in a capacity as a public or private employee, or for any firm, corporation, partnership or association to act as a runner or capper for any attorneys or to solicit any business for any attorneys in and about the state prisons, county jails, city jails, city prisons, or other places of detention of persons, city receiving hospitals, city and county receiving hospitals, county hospitals, superior courts, or in any public institution or in any public place or upon any public street or highway or in and about private hospitals, sanitariums or in and about any private institution or upon private property of any character whatsoever.
(2) Any person to solicit another person to commit or join in the commission of a violation of subdivision (a).
(b) A general release from a liability claim obtained from any person during the period of the first physical confinement, whether as an inpatient or outpatient, in a clinic or health facility, as defined in Sections 1203 and 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, as a result of the injury alleged to have given rise to the claim and primarily for treatment of the injury, is presumed fraudulent if the release is executed within 15 days after the commencement of confinement or prior to release from confinement, whichever occurs first.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the recommendation of professional employment where that recommendation is not prohibited by the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that a public defender or assigned counsel may not make known his or her services as a criminal defense attorney to persons unable to afford legal counsel whether those persons are in custody or otherwise.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9 - Unlawful Solicitation › Section 6153.

6153. Any person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation violating subdivision (a) of Section 6152 is punishable, upon a first conviction, by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine. Upon a second or subsequent conviction, a person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for two, three, or four years, or by a fine not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.
Any person employed either as an officer, director, trustee, clerk, servant or agent of this state or of any county or other municipal corporation or subdivision thereof, who is found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this article, shall forfeit the right to his office and employment in addition to any other penalty provided in this article.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 16. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9 - Unlawful Solicitation › Section 6154.

6154. (a) Any contract for professional services secured by any attorney at law or law firm in this state through the services of a runner or capper is void. In any action against any attorney or law firm under the Unfair Practices Act, Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 17000) of Division 7, or Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17200) of Division 7, any judgment shall include an order divesting the attorney or law firm of any fees and other compensation received pursuant to any such void contract. Those fees and compensation shall be recoverable as additional civil penalties under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 17000) or Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17200) of Division 7.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 17206 or any other provision of law, any fees recovered pursuant to subdivision (a) in an action involving professional services related to the provision of workers’ compensation shall be allocated as follows: if the action is brought by the Attorney General, one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the State General Fund, and one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Account in the Insurance Fund; if the action is brought by a district attorney, one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered, and one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Account in the Insurance Fund; if the action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered, and one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Account in the Insurance Fund. Moneys deposited into the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Account pursuant to this subdivision shall be used in the investigation and prosecution of workers’ compensation fraud, as appropriated by the Legislature.
(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 120, Sec. 2. Effective July 16, 1993.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9 - Unlawful Solicitation › Section 6156.

6156. (a) Any individual, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity, including, but not limited to, any person or entity having an ownership interest in a lawyer referral service, that engages, has engaged, or proposes to engage in violations of Section 6155, shall be liable for a civil penalty as defined in Sections 17206, 17206.1, and 17536, respectively, which shall be assessed and recovered in a civil action brought:
(1) In the manner specified in subdivision (a) of Section 17206 or Section 17536.
(2) By the State Bar of California.
(b) If the action is brought pursuant to subdivision (a), the court shall determine the reasonable expenses, if any, incurred by the State Bar in its investigation and prosecution of the action. In these cases, before any penalty collected is paid out pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17206 or Section 17536, the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred by the State Bar shall be paid to the State Bar and shall be deposited and used as provided in subdivision (c).
(c) If the action is brought pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), the civil penalty shall be paid to the State Bar and shall be deposited into a special fund to be used first for the investigation and prosecution of other such cases by the State Bar, with any excess to be used for the investigation and prosecution of attorney discipline cases.
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2007.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9.5 - Legal Advertising › Section 6157.

6157. As used in this article, the following definitions apply:
(a) “Licensee” means a licensee in good standing of the State Bar and includes any agent of the licensee and any law firm or law corporation doing business in the State of California.
(b) “Lawyer” means a licensee of the State Bar or a person who is admitted in good standing and eligible to practice before the bar of any United States court or the highest court of the District of Columbia or any state, territory, or insular possession of the United States, or is licensed to practice law in, or is admitted in good standing and eligible to practice before the bar of the highest court of, a foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, and includes any agent of the lawyer, law firm, or law corporation doing business in the state.
(c) “Advertise” or “advertisement” means any communication, disseminated by television or radio, by any print medium, including, but not limited to, newspapers and billboards, or by means of a mailing directed generally to members of the public and not to a specific person, that solicits employment of legal services provided by a licensee, and is directed to the general public and is paid for by, or on the behalf of, an attorney.
(d) “Electronic medium” means television, radio, or computer networks.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 114. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9.5 - Legal Advertising › Section 6157.1.

6157.1. No advertisement shall contain any false, misleading, or deceptive statement or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of circumstances under which they are made, not false, misleading, or deceptive.
(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 518, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9.5 - Legal Advertising › Section 6157.2.

6157.2. No advertisement shall contain or refer to any of the following:
(a) Any guarantee or warranty regarding the outcome of a legal matter as a result of representation by the licensee.
(b) Statements or symbols stating that the licensee featured in the advertisement can generally obtain immediate cash or quick settlements.
(c) (1) An impersonation of the name, voice, photograph, or electronic image of any person other than the lawyer, directly or implicitly purporting to be that of a lawyer.
(2) An impersonation of the name, voice, photograph, or electronic image of any person, directly or implicitly purporting to be a client of the licensee featured in the advertisement, or a dramatization of events, unless disclosure of the impersonation or dramatization is made in the advertisement.
(3) A spokesperson, including a celebrity spokesperson, unless there is disclosure of the spokesperson’s title.
(d) A statement that a licensee offers representation on a contingent basis unless the statement also advises whether a client will be held responsible for any costs advanced by the licensee when no recovery is obtained on behalf of the client. If the client will not be held responsible for costs, no disclosure is required.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 115. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9.5 - Legal Advertising › Section 6157.3.

6157.3. Any advertisement made on behalf of a licensee, which is not paid for by the licensee, shall disclose any business relationship, past or present, between the licensee and the person paying for the advertisement.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 116. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9.5 - Legal Advertising › Section 6157.4.

6157.4. Any advertisement that is created or disseminated by a lawyer referral service shall disclose whether the attorneys on the organization’s referral list, panel, or system, paid any consideration, other than a proportional share of actual cost, to be included on that list, panel, or system.
(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 518, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 3 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS GENERALLY › CHAPTER 4 - Attorneys › ARTICLE 9.5 - Legal Advertising › Section 6157.5.

6157.5. (a) All advertisements published, distributed, or broadcasted by or on behalf of a licensee seeking professional employment for the licensee in providing services relating to immigration or naturalization shall include a statement that he or she is an active licensee of the State Bar, licensed to practice law in this state. If the advertisement seeks employment for a law firm or law corporation employing more than one attorney, the advertisement shall include a statement that all the services relating to immigration and naturalization provided by the firm or corporation shall be provided by an active licensee of the State Bar or by a person under the supervision of an active licensee of the State Bar. This subdivision shall not apply to classified or “yellow pages” listings in a telephone or business directory of three lines or less that state only the name, address, and telephone number of the listed entity.
(b) If the advertisement is in a language other than English, the statement required by subdivision (a) shall be in the same language as the advertisement.
(c) This section shall not apply to licensees employed by public agencies or by nonprofit entities registered with the Secretary of State.
(d) A violation of this section by a licensee shall be cause for discipline by the State Bar.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 659, Sec. 117. (AB 3249) Effective January 1, 2019.)