Imperial County Superior Court Judge Juan Ulloa will be
recognized this month for his work improving access to justice for poor and
geographically isolated residents, building trust with a local Native American
tribe and helping forge a unique collaboration with Mexican courts. Discover
how early challenges in his life influenced his thinking.
Despite initial resistance from some law schools, academics
on a State Bar task force looking at whether practical skills training should
be required for new lawyers have emerged as strong supporters of the idea.
For attorneys who are stepping away from practice but want
to remain active through pro bono service, a long-standing State Bar program
offers a dues waiver as an enticement. Recent changes have made it easier for
lawyers to qualify and given them more options for where they can put those
skills to work.
The bills for the 2013 State Bar dues were mailed to members
Nov. 30. The deadline for payment is Feb. 1. The legislature authorized a $410
fee for active lawyers and $125 for inactive lawyers.
Attorneys performed better overall in the second year of a
State Bar audit of compliance with Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)
requirements, a recent report showed. Even so, about 4.6 percent of lawyers
failed the audit and face possible disciplinary action as a result.
A total of 55.3 percent of people who took the General Bar
Examination in July passed the grueling three-day test, making them eligible to
join the State Bar of California, according to preliminary results.