CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Bar Seeks to Expand Disciplinary Powers

State Bar leaders are proposing to give the bar’s newly revamped disciplinary system the power to disbar or suspend lawyers for misconduct, authority that now lies with the state Supreme Court. The bar’s Board of Governors voted over the weekend to tentatively approve and circulate for public comment a rule that would make all State Bar Court disciplinary actions final unless the state Supreme Court agreed to hear a lawyer’s appeal. Currently, the Supreme Court must review and approve all recommended disbarments and suspensions. The bar’s board will wait 30 days for public comment and then decide whether to send the proposal to the state Supreme Court for final approval.