California Bar Dues Set at $0 While Chief Prosecutor Seat Empty

The California Bar would be required to have a state Senate-confirmed chief trial counsel before it could charge attorneys annual fees under the licensing bill approved Tuesday.

The 260,000-member bar has been without a permanent chief trial counsel for five years. The position is the top prosecutor in the bar’s discipline system. Author Sen. Tom Umberg, Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, said he remains hopeful the bill (S.B. 211) will be amended with a specific fee amount once a chief trial counsel is confirmed. This year’s base dues are $395 for active members and $97.40 for inactive lawyers.

The ...