2024 California Rules of Court
Rule 9.13. Review of State Bar Court decisions
(a) Review of recommendation of disbarment or suspension
A petition to the Supreme Court by a licensee to review a decision of the State Bar Court recommending his or her disbarment or suspension from practice must be served and filed within 60 days after a certified copy of the decision complained of is filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The State Bar may serve and file an answer to the petition within 15 days after filing of the petition. Within 5 days after filing of the answer, the petitioner may serve and file a reply. If review is ordered by the Supreme Court, the State Bar must serve and file a supplemental brief within 45 days after the order is filed. Within 15 days after filing of the supplemental brief, the petitioner may serve and file a reply brief.
(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2019; previously relettered and amended effective October 1, 1973; previously amended effective July 1, 1968, December 1, 1990, and January 7, 2007.)
(b) Review of recommendation to set aside stay of suspension or modify probation
A petition to the Supreme Court by a licensee to review a recommendation of the State Bar Court that a stay of an order of suspension be set aside or that the duration or conditions of probation be modified on account of a violation of probation must be served and filed within 15 days after a certified copy of the recommendation complained of is filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. Within 15 days after filing of the petition, the State Bar may serve and file an answer. Within 5 days after filing of the answer, the petitioner may serve and file a reply.
(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2019; adopted effective October 1, 1973; previously amended effective December 1, 1990; and January 1, 2007.)
(c) Review of interim decisions
A petition to the Supreme Court by a licensee to review a decision of the State Bar Court regarding interim suspension, the exercise of powers delegated by rule 9.10(b)-(e), or another interlocutory matter must be served and filed within 15 days after written notice of the adverse decision of the State Bar Court is mailed by the State Bar to the petitioner and to his or her counsel of record, if any, at their respective addresses under section 6002.1. Within 15 days after filing of the petition, the State Bar may serve and file an answer. Within 5 days after filing of the answer, the petitioner may serve and file a reply.
(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2019; adopted effective December 1, 1990; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(d) Review of other decisions
A petition to the Supreme Court to review any other decision of the State Bar Court or action of the Board of Trustees of the State Bar, or of any board or committee appointed by it and authorized to make a determination under the provisions of the State Bar Act, or of the chief executive officer of the State Bar or the designee of the chief executive officer authorized to make a determination under article 10 of the State Bar Act or these rules of court, must be served and filed within 60 days after written notice of the action complained of is mailed to the petitioner and to his or her counsel of record, if any, at their respective addresses under Business and Professions Code section 6002.1. Within 15 days after filing of the petition, the State Bar may serve and file an answer and brief. Within 5 days after filing of the answer and brief, the petitioner may serve and file a reply. If review is ordered by the Supreme Court, the State Bar, within 45 days after filing of the order, may serve and file a supplemental brief. Within 15 days after filing of the supplemental brief, the petitioner may serve and file a reply brief.
(Subd (d) amended effective January 1, 2019; previously amended effective July 1, 1968, May 1, 1986, April 2, 1987, and January 1, 2007; previously relettered and amended effective October 1, 1973, and December 1, 1990.)
(e) Contents of petition
(1) A petition to the Supreme Court filed under (a) or (b) of this rule must be verified, must specify the grounds relied upon, must show that review within the State Bar Court has been exhausted, must address why review is appropriate under one or more of the grounds specified in rule 9.16, and must have attached a copy of the State Bar Court decision from which relief is sought.
(2) When review is sought under (c) or (d) of this rule, the petition must also be accompanied by a record adequate to permit review of the ruling, including:
(A) Legible copies of all documents and exhibits submitted to the State Bar Court or the State Bar supporting and opposing petitioner's position;
(B) Legible copies of all other documents submitted to the State Bar Court or the State Bar that are necessary for a complete understanding of the case and the ruling; and
(C) A transcript of the proceedings in the State Bar Court leading to the decision or, if a transcript is unavailable, a declaration by counsel explaining why a transcript is unavailable and fairly summarizing the proceedings, including arguments by counsel and the basis of the State Bar Court's decision, if stated; or a declaration by counsel stating that the transcript has been ordered, the date it was ordered, and the date it is expected to be filed, which must be a date before any action is requested from the Supreme Court other than issuance of a stay supported by other parts of the record.
(3) A petitioner who requests an immediate stay must explain in the petition the reasons for the urgency and set forth all relevant time constraints.
(4) If a petitioner does not submit the required record, the court may summarily deny the stay request, the petition, or both.
(Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2019; previously repealed and adopted by the Supreme Court effective December 1, 1990, and February 1, 1991; previously repealed and adopted effective March 15, 1991; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(f) Service
All petitions, briefs, reply briefs, and other pleadings filed by a petitioner under this rule must be accompanied by proof of service of three copies on the General Counsel of the State Bar at the San Francisco office of the State Bar, and of one copy on the Clerk of the State Bar Court at the Los Angeles office of the State Bar Court. The State Bar must serve the licensee at his or her address under Business and Professions Code section 6002.1, and his or her counsel of record, if any.
(Subd (f) amended effective January 1, 2019; adopted by the Supreme Court effective December 1, 1990; previously amended by the Supreme Court effective February 1, 1991; previously amended effective March 15, 1991, and January 1, 2007.)
Rule 9.13 amended effective January 1, 2019; adopted as rule 59 by the Supreme Court effective April 20, 1943, and by the Judicial Council effective July 1, 1943; previously amended and renumbered as rule 952 effective October 1, 1973, and as 9.13 effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective July 1, 1976, May 1, 1986, April 2, 1987, December 1, 1990, February 1, 1991, and March 15, 1991.
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