CA AB1515

Amends Section 6068 of the Business and Professions Code to require attorneys to deposit advance client funds for fees, costs, or expenses into a client trust account, with withdrawals only as fees are earned or costs/expenses are incurred.

Authorizes legal services to be provided in stages with fees withdrawn upon completion of each specified stage, provided the client agreement specifies each stage and the advance fee amount for that stage.

Defines advance fees paid as "fixed," "flat," or under any other label as earned only when the attorney has completed the legal services agreed to be provided in exchange for that fee.

Requires the State Bar to adopt amendments to its rules of professional conduct for Supreme Court approval to conform with these new advance fee requirements.