In 2021, the State Bar experienced a sweeping leadership transition with the rehiring of Leah Wilson as Executive Director, George Cardona taking the helm as Chief Trial Counsel, and Ruben Duran’s appointment as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

This focused team, along with the Board of Trustees and committee members, and the entirety of State Bar staff, are committed to the public service mission we are charged to execute: to protect the public, expand access to legal services, and improve diversity and inclusion in California’s legal profession.

In 2021, after revelations of the egregious misconduct of attorney Thomas Girardi, who misused client trust accounts and victimized many clients by failing to pay settlements amounting to millions of dollars, we took decisive action, summarized in this report. These efforts, which are ongoing, will result in changes that benefit Californians.