After litigation was mentioned, the State Bar states it will engage only through counsel

• May 15, 2026

  NeSmith wrote that the State Bar disputed the complainant's assertions and would not engage in further substantive correspondence concerning his threatened claims outside formal legal process, and that further substantive communications should be directed through his attorney. The message stated accommodations would continue and should be directed to Mr. Shiptenko. The written response window the complainant's May 11 notice set had closed the previous afternoon at 5:00 PM with no answer on procedural status or correction.

  William D. NeSmith III, Deputy General Counsel

  May 15 correspondence-shutdown email from William D. NeSmith III▸ Primary document linked

  Why it matters: The Bar limited substantive correspondence to formal legal process while preserving the accommodation channel.

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