Provisionally Licensed Lawyer

Job Description

Mandatory Fee Arbitration

Hourly Rate Range: $44.696 - $49.165

FLSA Non-Exempt / Non-Union Represented

This position allows for up to four days of remote work per week

*** This is a limited-term position that may go through December 2027, based upon operational needs. The role will include all medical benefits, vacation and sick time. For a full list of benefits visit: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/About-Us/Careers/Benefits **

About the Office

The Office of Professional Support & Client Protection includes 1) The Client Security Fund (CSF), which reimburses those who have lost money or property due to theft or dishonest conduct by a California attorney; 2) Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP), which provides support to law students, State Bar applicants, and current and former attorneys who require monitoring for substance use and behavioral health issues; 3)The Office of Case Management and Supervision, which monitors disciplined attorneys who must comply with conditions pursuant to a probation or reproval matter and; 4) The statewide Mandatory Fee Arbitration (MFA) Program, which provides avenues for alternative dispute resolution of attorney-client fee disputes.

About the Position

The State Bar of California offers a low-cost forum for clients and lawyers to resolve fee disputes. The MFA team is seeking an individual interested in gaining a deep knowledge of arbitration to join the small team, focusing on intake of new cases and trouble-shooting parties issues as they arise. Strong writing skills and excellent attention to detail required.

Definition

The Provisionally Licensed Lawyer (PLL) is a two-year limited-term, at-will position that serves under close supervision of a qualifying supervising attorney. The PLL assists in and performs legal work involving identification of legal issues; recommendations of appropriate action; resolution of requests received and reviewed by Complaint Review Unit, if assigned to Office of General Counsel; interpretation and application of laws, rules, regulations, and other legal authorities; legal research and analysis; preparation of legal memoranda, opinions, correspondence, and other documents; and litigation activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

A PLL is permitted to engage in nearly all of the same activities that a fully licensed lawyer is permitted to engage in, but they must do so under the supervision of a qualifying supervising attorney, and they are subject to certain conditions. Both the PLL and their supervising attorney are required to abide by all applicable State Bar rules and guidelines. The PLL differs from an Attorney I classification in that the latter has been licensed by the State Bar and can perform their work more independently. Additionally, a PLL must:

• Expressly refer to themselves orally and in writing as a Provisionally Licensed Lawyer and/or participant in the State Bar's Provisional Licensure Program and not describe themselves as a fully licensed lawyer or imply in any way orally or in writing that they are a fully licensed lawyer.
• Follow the same professional conduct rules as all fully licensed lawyers.
• Agree to be subject to the disciplinary authority of the Supreme Court of California and the State Bar with respect to the laws and rules governing the conduct of lawyers.
• Attest that they will not practice law in California other than under the supervision of an approved Supervising Lawyer during the time they are provisionally licensed.

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

When assigned to the Office of General Counsel, following completion of applicable training(s) and under close supervision of assigned supervising attorney:

• Performs assignments of the Complaint Review Unit ("CRU"), including conducting "second look" reviews of attorney disciplinary complaints that were closed without disciplinary action to assess whether the complaints were appropriately closed.
• Prepares analyses for attorneys recommending appropriate next steps in assigned CRU matters. • Identifies and analyzes legal, ethical, or factual issues arising from the complaints and researches laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in assigned CRU matters.
• Prepares draft memoranda, correspondence, and other materials as appropriate in assigned CRU matters.
• Keeps informed concerning the applicable law, rules, procedures, policies, and practices relating to their function.
• Participates in training and professional development activities.
• May perform a number of other similar or related assignments or duties which may not be specifically included within this position description, but which are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.

When assigned to the Office of Professional Support & Client Protection, and under close supervision of the Managing Attorney:

• Assists attorneys with the review of applications, including organizing relevant evidence and conducting informal discovery.
• May assist in or make recommendations regarding the disposition of applications and applicant inquiries.
• Conducts legal research in various areas of federal, state, and State Bar Court law, including case decisions, evidentiary law, statutory law, procedural and court rules, and legislation.
• Assists attorneys with the preparation of legal documents, including correspondence with parties, subpoenas, research memoranda, tentative or draft decisions and objection analysis.
• Keeps informed concerning the applicable law, rules, procedures, policies, and practices relating to their function.
• Assists with the evaluation of administrative problems and procedures and recommends solutions or alternative methods of procedures.
• Assists in the presentation of matters before State Bar sub-entities, commissions or oversight bodies, including preparing, reviewing, or editing draft decisions and agenda items.
• Participates in training and professional development activities.
• May perform a number of other similar or related duties that are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Law, rules, decisions, practices, and procedures of the State Bar, California Supreme Court, State Bar Court, and California Legislature.
• Rules and regulations governing the practice of law in the State of California, including without limitation the rules of professional conduct.
• Scope and character of federal and California statutory law and provisions of the federal and California constitutions.
• Rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in trial and appellate courts in California.
• Principles of effective work coordination and strong case/project management.
• Principles of problem identification, analysis and evaluation.
• Principles of effective time management.
• Principles of legal research and preparation of reports, briefs, opinions, and pleadings.
• Principles of conflict resolution.

Ability to:

• Analyze legal issues and apply appropriate legal principles.
• Receive and relay detailed information through verbal and written communications.
• Conduct legal research using computer technology and traditional library resources.
• Effectively address conflict.
• Review and analyze complex written documents.
• Effectively communicate in written and oral form.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a Juris Doctorate Degree or Law Office Study Program
• Must be a first-time test taker who withdrew from or was unsuccessful on the February 2025 bar exam.
• Must have a passing Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) score on file with the Office of Admissions.
• Received a positive moral character determination
• Received approval from the Office of Admissions to participate in the PLP.
• Within five months from the approval of the PLP application, candidates must complete the New Attorney Training Program.

Applicants who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be required to successfully complete the State Bar's selection process for this classification.

About the State Bar

The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation, and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.

Our Values

Clarity | Investing in Our People | Excellence | Respect | Growth Mindset

Learn more about our values.

DEI Statement

We are a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all of our employees and prospective employees experience fairness, dignity, and respect.

Learn more about our commitment to DEI.

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• The State Bar of California

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