(a) When there is reason to believe that a law corporation has violated or is about to violate any of the provisions of this article or the Professional Corporation Act or of any other pertinent statute, rule, or regulation, the State Bar may issue a notice directing the corporation to show cause why it should not be ordered to cease and desist from specified acts or conduct or its certificate of registration should not be suspended or revoked. A copy of the notice shall be served upon the corporation in the manner provided for service of summons upon a California corporation.
(b) A hearing upon the notice to show cause shall be held before a standing or special committee appointed by the board of trustees. Upon the hearing, the State Bar and the corporation shall be entitled to the issue of subpoenas, to be represented by counsel, to present evidence, and examine and cross-examine witnesses.
(c) The hearing committee shall make findings in writing and shall either recommend that the proceeding be dismissed or that a cease and desist order be issued or that the certificate of registration of the corporation be suspended or revoked. The determination may be reviewed by the board of trustees or by a committee authorized by the Board of Trustees to act in its stead, upon written petition for review, filed with the State Bar by the corporation or the State Bar within 20 days after service of the findings and recommendation. Upon review, the board of trustees or the committee may take additional evidence, may adopt new or amended findings, and make such order as may be just, as to the notice to show cause.
(d) Subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to the suspension or revocation of the certificate of registration of a corporation in either of the following cases:
(1) The death of a sole shareholder, as provided in Section 6171.1.
(2) Failure to file the annual report and renew the certificate of registration, as provided in Sections 6161.1 and 6163.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 417, Sec. 52. (SB 163) Effective January 1, 2012.)