Career & Technical Education

Externship Goals

To understand how the State Bar regulates and disciplines over 220,000 attorneys in California

To understand the skills needed to conduct a variety of investigations as they relate to attorney misconduct

To discover a variety of investigative career opportunities

Office Of Enforcement:Chief Investigator

State Bar of California

1149 S. Hill Street, 4th Floor Los Angeles, CA

90015 (213) 765-1000

www.calbar.org

Requirements

4 Year Bachelors Degree or 5 years investigative experience

Good moral character (no arrests/convictions)

Valid Driver License-Good driving record

Excellent communication skills

Proficient with WORD, Excel, Powerpoint, Quicken

Typical Day of a Chief Investigator

Caseload of 50-75 cases Interview witnesses by phone or in person Interview attorney(s) under investigation Gather records/evidence from banks, courts, insurance

companies, etc Task Force meetings (work with other agencies) Review/Analyze records Field investigation (going out to law offices) Testify in court Write reports

Benefits Salary $4,700-$8,100 per month

5 Weeks Vacation each year

10 paid Holidays each year

2 personal days/1 floating holiday per year

2 Weeks sick time per year

PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) 2% for each year paid by employer

Excellent medical, and dental benefits

Job Duties

Investigate complaints against attorneys for misconduct Source of complaints: public, courts, banks, other attorneys, insurance

companies

Investigate unlicensed practice of law

Work with law enforcements and prosecutors in the criminal prosecution

Completed investigations result in the following dispositions: A) Prosecution for ethical misconduct in State Bar Court; B) Prosecution for criminal misconduct in criminal court; C) Some sort of warning or reprimand; D) Close the investigation with no action

Most common investigations

-Theft of funds-Abandonment of client-Failure to peform competently-Misconduct in court (ie, perjury, lying to

a Judge)-Failure to communicate with clients-Unlawful Practice of Law (individuals that

practice without a license)

Job Tools

Would you be a good Investigator?

Observant Organized Literate Listener Honest

Classroom Application

Student will learn about little-known careers in the Public Services path

Students will learn how skill sets acquired in college can help students get work in the field of law without being an attorney

Students will learn about the need to have agencies that investigate and regulate other professions in order to protect the public

How to apply

State Bar of California Human Resources 1149 S. Hill Street, 4th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213) 765-1000

www.calbar.org