CBJ - December 2010 #02. A new leader takes the State Bar helm.

AuthorBy Nancy McCarthy Staff Writer

California Bar Journal

2010.

CBJ - December 2010 #02.

A new leader takes the State Bar helm

The California LawyerDecember 2010A new leader takes the State Bar helmBy Nancy McCarthy Staff WriterJoe Dunn took over as the State Bar's executive director last month, vowing to focus on public protection. PHOTO BY DARRYL BUSH

As a veteran plaintiff's lawyer and two-term state senator, Joe Dunn possesses the legal skills and political acumen indispensable for smoothing the waters between the State Bar and California's legislative and executive branches. With the agency in Sacramento's crosshairs, the new executive director leaves no doubt he'll put public protection at the forefront of its regulatory activities.

"Among our many challenges going forward," Dunn said, "I share the belief of the legislative and executive branches and our governing board that public protection is first and foremost for the State Bar."

Dunn is taking over the bar's top job, succeeding Judy Johnson, who will step down Feb. 1 after 10 years as executive director. Acknowledging that the post brings with it a steep learning curve, the 52-year-old lifelong Democrat knows he must master "the intricacies of our internal operations." He'll spend the early part of his tenure familiarizing himself with the bar's budget, discipline system, services to members and governance - all issues that arise in predictable cycles.

Dunn already has a lock on how the political branches connect, and where the regulatory bar fits in. Although it falls under the Supreme Court's jurisdiction, Dunn said, it is "closely intertwined" with the executive and legislative branches, not only for approval of lawyer dues but for policy matters relating to the practice of law. "As such," he said, "understanding how the political branches work in practice versus in theory is critical in keeping our State Bar at the forefront of regulating the legal profession."

When Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed the bar's dues bill last year, he criticized the agency for a state audit that found inefficiencies in the discipline operation, a former employee's embezzlement and the unauthorized disclosure of the rating of a candidate for the appellate bench. Schwarzenegger said he would not sign dues measure "because the State Bar cannot continue with business as usual." When the legislature approved the 2011 dues...

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