Clear your attorney discipline debt before the deadline pass

The Fresh Start Settlement Program is a limited-time offer from the State Bar of California  designed to help attorneys, past or present, reduce and resolve disciplinary-related debts. If you’ve been hit with cost recovery orders, Client Security Fund reimbursements, or sanctions tied to discipline proceedings, you may be eligible to cut your debt by up to 50 percent and wipe the slate clean. 

This Program is part of the State Bar’s 2025 initiative to improve fairness in collections and support financially-burdened attorneys. Eligible participants can settle their debt at a reduced rate using a fast and secure online system. There are no interest charges, no penalties, and no credit reporting for those who complete the program. 

If you're navigating long-standing debt, collections, or want to move forward with your license or career, this Program may be your one chance to get relief. All settlements must be finalized and paid by December 31, 2025.

The Fresh Start Program isn’t just for attorneys currently practicing. In fact, it’s primarily designed for former, disbarred, resigned, or suspended attorneys who still owe money to the State Bar of California. If you're carrying debt from past disciplinary actions or CSF reimbursement orders, this program may give you a second chance. 

Here’s who qualifies: 

• Disbarred or Resigned Attorneys 
• Suspended or Inactive Licensees 
• Active Attorneys with Disciplinary Cost Installments Due in Future Years 

To qualify, your debt must be tied to discipline-related obligations (not annual licensing fees or MCLE fines), and it must have been incurred before January 1, 2025. Depending on your status, you could settle for as little as 50 percent of what you owe or negotiate for even deeper relief in cases of extreme financial hardship. 

Eligibility letters are being sent out in waves, but if you think you qualify and haven’t received one, you can still contact the State Bar to start the process. 

Applying for the  Fresh Start Program is intentionally simple, and the entire process is online. Once invited, you’ll log into a secure State Bar portal, view your personalized settlement offer, and decide whether to pay in a lump sum or installments.  

Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works: 

1. Receive your invitation and PIN from the State Bar 
2. Log in to the Fresh Start portal and review your eligible debts 
3. Generate and accept a settlement offer or submit a counteroffer if you need more flexibility 
4. Choose your payment plan one-time payment or monthly installments (must be completed by December 31, 2025) 
5. Make payments online or by mail, and track your balance until completion 

Once paid in full, your debt is considered satisfied for all purposes including potential reinstatement or return to practice. 

What happens if you miss the deadline? The deal disappears, and you’re back on the hook for the full amount.