Saba

FACTS

A. Disciplinary Background

Saba is an Army veteran and was admitted to the California Bar in 1988. In 2011,

the Loma Linda Veterans Administration Medical Hospital diagnosed him with

Alzheimer’s type dementia, and he began receiving treatment for his condition in 2015.

He is currently 77 years old.

Between late 2014 and early 2017, the State Bar brought five separate disciplinary

charges against Saba. The charges alleged various ethical violations, such as filing

frivolous cases, and failing to pay and report sanctions totaling over $50,000. Ultimately,

the State Bar stayed those charges pending the resolution of his mental competency

hearing under section 6007.

B. Saba’s State Bar Hearing

The California Supreme Court holds the exclusive power to disbar, suspend, or

place attorneys on inactive status, but the State Bar acts as the court’s administrative arm

in such matters. (In re Rose (2000) 22 Cal.4th 430, 438; Cal. Const., art. VI, § 9.) To

carry out that work, the State Bar established the State Bar Court to conduct regulatory

3 and disciplinary proceedings and provide recommendations to the California Supreme

Court. (See Cal. Rules of Court,…