Rule 9.7. Oath required when admitted to practice law

(a) Oath required when admitted to practicelaw In addition to the language required by Business and Professions Code section 6067, the oath to be taken by every person on admission to practice law is to conclude with the following: “As an officer of the court, I will strive to conduct myself at all times with dignity, courtesy andintegrity.”

(b) Annual declaration Each activelicenseeandeachspecial admissions attorney (permitted to practice law in the State of California under rules 9.41.1, 9.44, 9.45, or 9.46) must, pursuant to the procedure adopted by the State Bar, declare adherence tothe oath language provided by(a) of this rule and Professions Code section 6067 on an annual basis.

(c) Implementation schedule and penalty for noncompliance

(1) The State Bar must develop a schedule to implement the submission of the declaration required by (b) of this rule by the deadline for the payment of the annual license fee.

(2) Beginning on April 1, 2026, an active licensee or special admissions attorney who fails to submit the annual declaration as required by this rule must be enrolled as an inactive licensee of the State Bar under rules adopted by the Board of Trustees of the State Bar.

(d) Authorization for the Board of Trustees of the State Bar to adopt rules andprocedures The Board of Trustees of the State Bar is authorized to adopt such rules and procedures as it deems necessary and appropriate to ensure compliance with this rule.

(e) Fees andpenalties The State Bar has the authority to set and collect appropriate fees andpenalties for violations of this rule.