The California State Bar has finalized a disciplinary order for Noreen Anne Krall (State Bar Number 202373), a globally recognized figure in the field of Intellectual Property law. Krall, famously known for her tenure as Vice President and Chief Litigation Counsel at Apple Inc., has been placed on one year of professional probation, effective August 29, 2025.
The sanction follows a legal stipulation regarding a series of criminal convictions that the State Bar Court determined constituted “misconduct warranting discipline.”
The Core Misconduct: Repeated DUI Offenses
The disciplinary action (Case No. 24-C-30642) centered on a pattern of driving-related offenses and a failure to comply with judicial mandates. According to the State Bar’s findings:
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The Convictions: Krall stipulated to a no-contest plea for multiple charges, which included driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15% or higher and a willful refusal to submit to chemical testing.
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History of Recidivism: This marked Krall’s fourth conviction for driving under the influence. The court noted that she had two previous convictions in California and one in New York.
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Contempt of Court: Critically, the discipline also stemmed from a charge of willful disobedience of a court order, a factor that elevates a personal legal issue into a matter of professional integrity.
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The Ruling: While these were misdemeanor offenses, the State Bar Court ruled that the repeated nature of the conduct and the contempt of court showed a disregard for the legal process that required formal oversight.
The Sanction: Probation and Current License Status
Because the misconduct did not involve the practice of law, client funds, or intentional harm to a legal case, the court opted for a rehabilitative approach:
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Stayed Suspension: Krall was given a one-year suspension that was stayed, meaning she remains a member of the Bar provided she follows the strict terms of her probation.
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One-Year Probation: The probation period, which began in late August 2025, requires Krall to remain law-abiding and report regularly to the State Bar’s Office of Probation.
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Mitigating Factors: In her favor, the court acknowledged Krall’s long history of discipline-free practice prior to these incidents and her full cooperation in the disciplinary proceedings.
⚠️ Current Administrative Ineligibility
It is important to note that as of late 2025, Krall’s status is listed as “Not Eligible to Practice Law in CA.” This is currently due to administrative non-compliance rather than the disciplinary probation. She has failed to comply with the State Bar’s CTAPP (Client Trust Account Protection Program) reporting requirements and has not verified her records as required by the Bar.
Conclusion: Integrity Beyond the Courtroom
The case of Noreen Anne Krall serves as a reminder that an attorney’s duty to uphold the law applies 24/7. Even for an executive who managed high-stakes patent “wars” for one of the world’s largest companies, personal legal lapses can have professional consequences. The State Bar’s imposition of probation ensures that attorneys maintain the high standards of character expected of an officer of the court, regardless of their professional status.
