- If your complaint is about the nonattorney you hired, tell us: When did you hire the nonattorney? What agreement did you make with the nonattorney? Was the agreement verbal or in writing?
- If the complaint is about a nonattorney who has not represented you, please tell us: What is the connection you have with this nonattorney? If the nonattorney is representing a person or entity in a dispute with you, please identify that person or entity and explain the nature of the dispute.
Court Information
- If your complaint involves a court case, please provide information (if known) in this section.
Attachments
- As part of the online complaint form, you will be limited to 10 attachments, with a maximum of 4 MB each.
- Provide any helpful documents. Send only copies and keep the originals. All documents you send, originals or copies, become the property of the State Bar and are subject to future destruction.
- If you are complaining about a nonattorney who represented you, provide copies of written fee agreements, payments or other letters (written or electronic) to the nonattorney. It may be helpful to provide copies of the front and back sides of all canceled checks and/or copies of receipts showing your payments to the nonattorney. Any documents in your possession could be very helpful.
Translation Information
The State Bar accepts complaints in over 200 languages. If you need translation services to communicate with the State Bar, please let us know by completing the Translation Information section. We will communicate with you through a translation service in the language of your choice. If you have a trusted friend or family member whom you would prefer to provide translation assistance and that person will accept communications from the State Bar in English, please provide their contact information in the Translation Information section.
After You Submit
The State Bar will review and evaluate your complaint to determine whether investigation and litigation is appropriate. You will be notified of our decision in writing. Thank you for your cooperation.
If you are unable to fill out the form online, you may print and mail the Complaint Form to the State Bar’s Intake Department.
Important Information You Should Know
The State Bar's Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) reviews complaints of alleged unauthorized practice of law. Should OCTC seek court action relating to your complaint, you may be required to testify in court and/or provide a written declaration signed under penalty of perjury in order to prove charges against the nonattorney(s) involved. Below is a partial list of what OCTC can and cannot do when it considers a complaint against a nonattorney:
- If an investigation is initiated, OCTC will refer your complaint of unauthorized practice of law, which is a crime, to the appropriate law enforcement agencies or other regulatory agencies. OCTC will continue to conduct its own investigation of the complaint.
- OCTC cannot act as your attorney or otherwise help you in legal matters connected with your complaint. For example, OCTC cannot give you legal advice or perform legal service for you but can seek extensions which is legal service. You may have legal remedies available to you, but OCTC cannot advise you on your rights in a given situation or what you should do. OCTC cannot seek civil remedies for you.
- OCTC cannot give you the name of a particular attorney to help you with your legal matters. The State Bar does certify lawyer referral services, and a list of certified lawyer referral services is available on the State Bar's website or by calling 800-843-9053. The State Bar pamphlet Finding the Right Lawyer is also available online.
- If you have further questions, you may call the complaint line at 800-843-9053.
If you are unable to fill out the form online, you may print and mail the Complaint Form to the State Bar’s Intake Department.
