California Supreme Court Makes Appointments to State Bar Board of Trustees, Committee of Bar Examiners

The Supreme Court of California today announced seven appointments and one reappointment to the State Bar of California's Board of Trustees and the Committee of Bar Examiners, all effective September 19.

The court appointed public member José Cisneros as chair of the Board of Trustees for a one-year term. Cisneros is the first ever non-attorney to be appointed chair of the board. He has served as the Treasurer for the City and County of San Francisco since 2004.

Cisneros will replace attorney Brandon Stallings as chair, who will step down from the board after completing his term next month. The court has appointed attorney David Jargiello to fill Stallings' impending vacancy.

The court also appointed public member Dr. Mark Toney to a one-year term as board vice chair. Dr. Toney has served as the executive director of The Utility Reform Network since 2008.

The Board of Trustees is the State Bar's governing body that establishes the strategic direction for the agency and ensures that the organization is fulfilling its mission.

In addition, the court made appointments to the Committee of Bar Examiners. Attorney Alan Yochelson, the committee's current vice chair, has been appointed to a one-year term as chair. The court appointed attorney Ashley Silva-Guzman to a one-year term as vice chair.

The court reappointed attorney Bethany Peak to another four-year term, and appointed attorneys Christopher Reed and Michael Lee to fill four-year terms created by the impending vacancies of two attorneys departing the committee in September.

The Committee of Bar Examiners oversees development and administration of the California Bar Exam and reviews the moral character determination and admissions processes for attorneys. The committee also accredits state law schools and registers unaccredited state law schools.