Chuck Darwin<p>California bar suspends 1,600 attorneys for violating rules set up after Tom Girardi allegedly stole millions</p><p>More than 1,600 attorneys have been <a href="https://c.im/tags/suspended" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>suspended</span></a> by the <a href="https://c.im/tags/California" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>California</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/State" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>State</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/Bar" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Bar</span></a> for violating rules about client trust accounts that were set up after disgraced L.A. attorney Thomas Girardi allegedly stole millions of dollars from his clients. </p><p>The <a href="https://c.im/tags/Client" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Client</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/Trust" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Trust</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/Account" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Account</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/Protection" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Protection</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/Program" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Program</span></a>, which went into effect last year, requires attorneys to <a href="https://c.im/tags/register" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>register</span></a> their client trust accounts annually with the state bar, complete a yearly <a href="https://c.im/tags/self" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>self</span></a>-<a href="https://c.im/tags/assessment" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>assessment</span></a> of their practices managing client trust accounts and <a href="https://c.im/tags/certify" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>certify</span></a> with the state bar that they <a href="https://c.im/tags/comply" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>comply</span></a> and understand the <a href="https://c.im/tags/requirements" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>requirements</span></a> for <a href="https://c.im/tags/safekeeping" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>safekeeping</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/funds" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>funds</span></a>. </p><p>After the reporting component is fulfilled, the state bar will then begin compliance reviews and investigative audits when appropriate. </p><p>Originally, more than 1,700 attorneys were found in violation of the rules and enrolled as “inactive” with the bar, meaning they’re not legally allowed to practice law. As of Thursday afternoon, that number has dropped to 1,641 after some of the attorneys fulfilled their requirements, according to Special Counsel Steven Moawad, who works for the bar’s attorney <a href="https://c.im/tags/discipline" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>discipline</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/system" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>system</span></a>. </p><p><a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-07-28/california-bar-suspends-nearly-1-600-attorneys-for-violating-rules-set-up-after-tom-girardi-scandal" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">latimes.com/california/story/2</span><span class="invisible">023-07-28/california-bar-suspends-nearly-1-600-attorneys-for-violating-rules-set-up-after-tom-girardi-scandal</span></a></p>