Committee of Bar Examiners Meeting
Notice and Agenda
Friday, March 15, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Teleconference



Members of the public may access this meeting as follows: 
Zoom Link: https://calbar.zoom.us/j/91048268094 
Call-In Number: 669-900-9128 
Webinar ID: 910 4826 8094 

Members of the public may also access this meeting as follows: 
373 E Mendocino Street, Altadena, CA 91001
15688 Monica Court, Fontana, CA 92336
845 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017
110 Westwood Plaza, Suite g406, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Paseo Kanai 15, Solidaridad, 77730, Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico      
914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814 
700 Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana 92701
180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
400 County Center, Courtroom 6A, Redwood City, CA 94063

Open Session

-- CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT --
Members of the public are encouraged to use this form for public comment. Completing this form is not required; however, those that sign up in advance will be called first. Public comment typically occurs at the beginning of each meeting; the chair has the discretion to move the public comment period or allow for additional public comment periods during the meeting. Members of the public wishing to submit written comments may email them to CBE@calbar.ca.gov. Deadline to sign up and submit written comments is 24 hours before the start of the meeting. View the State Bar’s Public Comment Policy.

I. Remarks from Chair
A. Welcome/Roll Call
B. Approval of January 26, 2024, Committee of Bar Examiners Public Meeting Minutes
C. Chair’s Report
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Report of Administrative Updates Regarding Law Schools (Natalie Leonard and Paul Kramer)
III. OPERATIONS AND MANAGMENT
A. Update on Cost Reduction Initiatives Related to the Bar Exam, Beginning with the February 2025 Administration (Audrey Ching, Cody Hounanian, and Amy Nuñez)
IV. EXAMINATIONS
A. Training from Subject Matter Expert on Substantive Issues Concerning Evaluating Testing Accommodation Requests (Benjamin Lovett, Ph.D.) [Special Set for 10:00 a.m.]
B. Review and Approval of Standard Setting for the First-Year Law Students’ Examination (Adrian Galang, Amy Nuñez) [Special Set for 1:00 p.m.]
V. EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS
A. Discussion on Recommendation to Amend California Business and Professions Code Sections 6060.7 and 6046.7 Related to Non-JD Degree Programs (Cody Hounanian)
VI. REPORT FROM DIRECTOR
A. Oral Report

i. Recap on the February 2024 California Bar Examination

ii. July 2024 California Bar Examination

iii. Update on Rule Revisions

iv. Update on Initiatives to Improve Outcomes for Unaccredited Law Schools

v. Update on fees related to California Accredited Law Schools

vi. Recent Developments

Closed Session

I. Chair's Time
A. Report from Counsel (Jean Krasilnikoff)
Report on Pending Litigation [Closed pursuant to Gov. Code § 11126(e)(1)]
Brewer v. State Bar, et al., E.D. Cal., Case No. 2:23-cv-00860
Diviacchi v. State Bar, Ninth Circuit Ct. of Appeals, Case No. 23-16170
Flinders v. State Bar et al., Sixth Appellate District Ct. of Appeal, Case No.H050562; Ninth Circuit Ct. of Appeals, Case No. 22-17014, U.S. Supreme Court Case No. 23-790
Hill v. Peoples College of Law et al., C.D. Cal., Case No. 2:23CV1298
Kohn v. State Bar et al., Ninth Circuit Ct. of Appeals, Case No. 20-17316
Pell v. Amy Nuñez, Ninth Circuit Ct. of Appeals, Case No. 23-55188
B. Approval of January 26, 2024, Committee of Bar Examiners Closed Meeting Minutes [Closed pursuant to Bus. & Prof. Code § 6026.7(c)(3)-(4) and Gov. Code §§ 11126(c)(1) and 11126(e)(1)]
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Report and Discussion of Staff Moral Character Determinations (Christian Harvey and David Lane) [Closed pursuant to Bus. & Prof. Code § 6026.7(c)(4)]
B. Report on Status of Pending Moral Character State Bar Court Cases (Christian Harvey and David Lane) [Closed pursuant to Bus. & Prof. Code § 6026.7(c)(4)]
III. OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT
A. Action on the March 2024 Operation & Management Appeals (Amy Nuñez) [Closed pursuant to Bus. & Prof. Code § 6026.7(c)(3) and Gov. Code § 11126(c)(1)]
IV. EXAMINATIONS
A.

Action on Pending Testing Accommodation Appeals (Christina Doell) [Closed pursuant to Bus. & Prof. Code § 6026.7(c)(3)-(4)- and Gov. Code § 11126(c)(1)]

V. MORAL CHARACTER
A. Action on Moral Character Cases Pending Administrative Review (Christian Harvey and David Lane) [Closed pursuant to Bus. & Prof. Code § 6026.7(c)(4)]
Adjourn






In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, those requiring modifications or accommodations to address and observe this meeting should submit this form at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to allow sufficient time to make arrangements for accommodations at this meeting. Any doubt whatsoever regarding a specific request will be resolved in favor of accessibility. If you disagree with the initial determination regarding your request for accommodations at the meeting, you can request review of that determination by the State Bar’s ADA coordinator. To initiate this review, please respond to your determination up to 24 hours prior to the meeting. More information regarding the accessibility of the State Bar’s proceedings, services, and programs is available on the State Bar’s website at https://www.calbar.ca.gov/accessibility.

 

Questions regarding any agenda item should be directed to the Committee Coordinator(s) Ms. Devan McFarland at (415) 538-2548 or Chair, Dr. Michael Cao at (415) 538-2300, care of the Office of Admissions, 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Committee members are requested to notify the committee coordinator as early as possible in advance of the meeting if they wish to remove any item(s) from the consent agenda.

All times indicated and the order of business are approximate and subject to change.

The notice and agenda are available at http://board.calbar.ca.gov/Board.aspx.