Our expansive mission

We protect the public from attorneys who commit misconduct or fail to meet their ethical obligations. We seek to educate the 260,000 licensed California attorneys on their ethical obligations. We administer the bar exam to more than 10,000 applicants each year. We investigate nonattorneys who misrepresent themselves to prey on the state’s most vulnerable residents. We also work to increase funding for legal services, improve access to legal services in California, and foster inclusion and increase diversity in California’s legal profession.

At a Glance: Key 2020 statistics that highlight the size and breadth of our mission

Regulation and Discipline: Improvements in the core functions that enable the State Bar to fulfill its public protection mission

Admissions: California offers more pathways to the law than any other state

Promoting Access: Long a leader in expanding access to legal services, the State Bar's access initiatives expanded in 2020

Furthering Diversity and Inclusion: The ultimate goal is a statewide attorney population that reflects California's richly diverse demographics

Resources to Learn More

Our expansive mission

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