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Public Trust Liaison Introduces New Attorney-Client Bridge Program

The State Bar of California’s Public Trust Liaison (El Intermediario de Confianza Pública) Enrique Zuniga announced the official launch of the Attorney-Client Bridge Program (ACBP), a program that has already proved popular with consumers and attorneys. 

This new service enables consumers and attorneys to avoid the State Bar’s discipline system and receive assistance from the Public Trust Liaison for two common attorney-client issues: resuming timely communication with an attorney, or—for clients who have already terminated their relationship with their attorney—getting their client files returned.

Attorneys who agree to follow through on either communicating with their client or returning a former client’s files have 10 business days to do so. If an attorney does not respond to the request or agrees to but then does not comply with the deadline, with the client’s approval, the matter can be referred to the Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) for possible discipline review.

“Up until now, clients who wanted nothing more than a phone call from their attorney or to receive their files had no recourse other than filing a complaint,” said Zuniga. “The Attorney-Client Bridge Program helps clients―and willing attorneys―to get timely results that are not focused on discipline, but on a speedy and proper resolution.”

Currently, the ACBP cannot be used for other issues or once a complaint has already been filed.

Since the program had its soft launch in March 2024, 728 clients and attorneys have successfully utilized the service. The ACBP was officially funded as part of State Bar discipline diversion support via Assembly Bill 3279, the 2025 attorney licensing fee bill; that support enabled the hiring of dedicated program staff and the official ACBP launch.

Licensees are required by the Rules of Professional Conduct to respond to communications from their clients and to return files when requested, however, attorney participation in this program is voluntary.

OCTC received more than 17,000 complaints in 2023. This new program serves the State Bar’s public protection mission and will help ensure that filed complaints are for more egregious misconduct.

Eligible ACBP clients can file a request for assistance form.

Lea más sobre el Programa de Puente entre Abogado y Cliente, o presente una solicitud de asistencia en español.

To learn more about the Attorney-Client Bridge Program, read the 2024 Public Trust Liaison Annual Report. 

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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