Rule 9.22. Suspension of licensees of the State Bar for failure to comply with judgment or order for child or family support

(a) State Bar recommendation for suspension of delinquent licensees Under Family Code section 17520, the State Bar is authorized to transmit to the Supreme Court twice a year the names of those licensees listed by the State Department of Child Support Services as delinquent in their payments of court-ordered child or family support with a recommendation for their suspension from the practice of law.

(b) Conditions for reinstatement of a suspended licensees The Supreme Court may reinstate a licensee suspended under this rule only after receipt by the Supreme Court of notification from the State Bar that the licensee’s name has been removed from the State Department of Child Support Services list as provided in Family Code section 17520(h) and that the licensee has submitted a declaration under penalty of perjury stating whether the licensee practiced law during the suspension.

(c) Subsequent recommendation for suspension by the State Bar Under Family Code section 17520(l), the State Bar is further authorized to promptly transmit to the Supreme Court with a recommendation for their suspension from the practice of law the name of any licensee previously listed by the State Department of Child Support Services as delinquent in their payments of court-ordered child or family support, who has been reinstated under (b) of this rule and who has subsequently been identified by the Department of Child Support Services as again being delinquent.

(d) Compliance with Rule 9.20(a)-(c) A licensee suspended under this rule must comply with the requirements of rule 9.20 in connection with an initial suspension under (a) of this rule and any subsequent suspension under (c) of this rule.

(e) Authorization for the Board of Trustees of the State Bar to adopt rules The Board of Trustees of the State Bar is authorized to adopt such rules as it deems necessary and appropriate in order to comply with this rule. The rules of the State Bar must contain procedures governing the notification, suspension, and reinstatement of licensees of the State Bar in a manner not inconsistent with Family Code section 17520.

Committee Notes

(Subd (a) amended effective October 20, 2023; previously amended effective January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2019.)

(Subd (b) amended effective October 1, 2025; adopted as part of subd (a) effective January 31, 1993; previously amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2019, and October 20, 2023.)

(Subd (c) amended effective October 1, 2025; adopted as part of subd (a) effective January 31, 1993; previously amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2019, and October 20, 2023.)

(Subd (d) adopted effective October 20, 2023.)

(Subd (e) amended and relettered effective October 20, 2023; adopted as subd (b) effective January 31, 1993; previously amended and relettered as subd (d) effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2019.)

Rule 9.22 amended effective October 1, 2025; adopted as rule 962 effective January 31, 1993; previously amended by the Supreme Court effective April 1, 1996, January 1, 2019, and October 20, 2023; previously amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007.