Can anything be done for clients whose money has been stolen by their attorney?
Yes. The Client Security Fund is a discretionary fund maintained by the State Bar that may provide some relief to clients under certain circumstances. In order to seek relief, application must be made with the Fund and the applicant must have participated in the attorney disciplinary process (unless the lawyer is already deceased, disbarred or resigned, or on an indefinite disability suspension prior to completion of the applicant’s complaint against the lawyer). Under certain circumstances, clients may be eligible for financial relief from this source. The Client Security Fund does not address legal malpractice damages, disputes over the amount charged for legal services, dissatisfaction with the outcome achieved by the lawyer, or recovery of monies paid to another attorney for work that was not done by the lawyer complained about.
Related Questions
- I am an attorney. Do communications with clients already covered by the attorney-client privilege immunize me from complying with 201 CMR 17.00?
- I am the payee of a Fidelity Express Money Order and the original money order was lost or stolen. Can I get a refund?
- Would a Attorney be a good canidate to become their clients high net worth financial quarterback?
