State Bar hires new general counsel

The State Bar of California welcomes a new general counsel to oversee the bar’s in-house law office.

Miller

Thomas A. Miller, 61, brings with him 35 years of experience as a lawyer in the private sector and the U.S. Marine Corps.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with the top-notch legal team at the bar,” Miller said.

The Office of General Counsel provides comprehensive litigation services, representing the bar in all matters pending in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals. The office also drafts and reviews contracts and other business transactions, such as its recent purchase and development of its new office in Los Angeles; interprets existing rules and regulations; analyzes proposed legislation; and provides legal advice to the Board of Trustees, its committees and staff.

Miller comes from a solo law practice in San Clemente specializing in employment law, litigation counseling and wage and hour class action litigation. Previously, he was a partner at the national litigation firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. and served on active and reserve duty as a judge advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2000.

State Bar President Luis J. Rodriguez said Miller has the strong leadership and management background that is needed to head up the bar’s Office of General Counsel.

“We are very pleased to welcome Thom to the State Bar family,” Rodriguez said.

Two other senior executives have joined the bar since the beginning of the year. Chief Executive for Communications Rex Bossert and Senior Director Administration of Justice Kelli Evans.