California Bar Journal
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA - JUNE 2002
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PUBLIC COMMENT

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Legal specialists

Three amendments to the Rules Governing the State Bar's Program for Certifying Legal Specialists would (1) reinstate an alternative to the exam, which allows certification applicants the option of satisfying additional task and experience requirements in lieu of passing a written exam; (2) increase the number of years during which the percentage of practice requirement applies from three to five years; and (3) add criteria relating to discipline and professional negligence that may be used in evaluating an applicant's proficiency and ethics, and the imposition on the applicant of a duty to disclose such criteria within a given time frame. Full text of the amendments is available at www.calbar.ca.gov/2bar/3com.

SOURCE: Board Committee on Member Oversight
DEADLINE: June 13
CONTACT: Lorna Maynard, Office of Certification, 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105-1639; 415/538-2115; 415/538-2180 fax; lorna.maynard@calbar.ca.gov

Interim strategic plan

The State Bar's interim strategic plan outlining the goals and objectives in six target areas is available to the membership and the general public at www.calbar.ca.gov for a 60-day comment period.

SOURCE: Board Committee on Planning, Program Development and Budget
DEADLINE: July 2
CONTACT: Francisco Gomez, Office of the Executive Director, 180 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105-1639; 415/538-2170; francisco.gomez@calbar.ca.gov

Lawyer assistance program

Proposed criteria for acceptance, denial, completion of or termination from the Lawyer Assistance Program, and group fees for the program. The criteria were adopted on an interim basis by the board of governors May 3, subject to a 90-day comment period.

SOURCE: Board Committee on Planning, Program Development and Budget
DEADLINE: Aug. 2
CONTACT: Francisco Gomez, Office of the Executive Director, 180 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105-1639; 415/538-2170; francisco.gomez@calbar.ca.gov

State Bar Court

Proposed amendments to Rule 262 of the Rules of Procedures of the State Bar would provide that the State Bar Court may dismiss a proceeding in the interests of justice on its own motion, after providing notice to the parties and an opportunity to object.

SOURCE: Board Committee on Regulation, Admissions and Discipline Oversight
DEADLINE: Aug. 1
CONTACT: Michael Alewine, 180 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105-1639; 415/538-2017; michael.alewine@calbar.ca.gov