Aug. 31, 2009
Supreme Court Seeks Public Comment on Safekeeping Rule
Note: Some links on this page open in a new browser window 
.
The Supreme Court of Ohio will accept public comment until Sept. 30 on a proposed rule change about lawyers’ duty to safeguard client funds and property in which third persons claim an interest.
The proposed amendments to Prof. Cond. R. 1.15(d) and Comment [4] are based on a 2007 Advisory Opinion issued by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline and recommendations issued in late 2008 by a special Ohio State Bar Association committee.
The current rule requires a lawyer to protect the interest of a third-party in client funds and property held by the client, unless the claim is frivolous. The proposed rule changes specify that a lawyer must have “actual knowledge” of a third person’s interest and that the claimed interest must be “a statutory lien, a final judgment addressing disposition of the funds or property, or a written agreement by the client of the lawyer on behalf of the client guaranteeing payment from the funds or property.”
Changes proposed to the comment portion of the rule offer guidance about a lawyer’s ethical duties depending on whether the funds or property is in dispute and whether the client or third person’s claim to the funds or property is lawful. Where there is a dispute over interest in the funds or property, a lawyer must hold the funds or property in a trust account separate from the lawyer’s funds, until the dispute is resolved.
Read the text of the proposed rule. Comments on the amendments should be submitted in writing to:
Richard A. Dove, Assistant Administrative Director
Supreme Court of Ohio
65 S. Front St., Seventh Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
or
rick.dove@sc.ohio.gov
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.
Word files may be viewed, printed, and searched using the free Word Viewer.