June 8, 2010
Clients' Security Fund Celebrates 25 Years
Marking 25 years of supporting public trust and confidence in the attorney-client relationship, the Supreme Court of Ohio Clients’ Security Fund today celebrated its silver anniversary with a courtroom ceremony.
Created in 1985 by the Supreme Court to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation, the fund is supported by Ohio attorneys through registration fees. (The fund does not receive any tax revenue.) A six-member board of commissioners reviews applications and awards money to former law clients at quarterly meetings each year. In 25 years, about $14.3 million has been reimbursed to nearly 1,800 Ohioans.
Keynote speaker H. Thomas Wells Jr., immediate past president of the American Bar Association, stressed the importance of protecting clients and the integrity of the legal profession. He played an instrumental role in mediating a budget dispute between the governor and client security fund in Connecticut, which ultimately led to the fund’s survival.
“It’s important to celebrate the great strides we have made in protecting clients, and we have made great strides,” Wells said. “But it’s also important that we do not become complacent in our efforts to support, expand and protect client security funds.”
Also offering remarks were Kenneth Donchatz, CSF board chair; Jonathan W. Marshall, Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline secretary; Barbara J. Howard, Ohio State Bar Association president; and Judge Stephen L McIntosh, Columbus Bar Association president-elect.
Chief Justice Eric Brown opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks and introductions. Also as part of the event, current and past board members and administrators of the fund attended the ceremony and were recognized for their service.
Former commissioner William S. Newcomb Jr. gave a tribute to the late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer in recognition of his leadership and outspoken advocacy for law client protection. Chief Justice Moyer was recognized in 2008 by the National Client Protection Organization for demonstrated excellence in the field of law client protection.
Ohio has more than 42,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than one tenth of 1 percent of those attorneys is involved in CSF claims.
Learn More about the Clients' Security Fund.
Contact: Janet Green Marbley, 614.387.9390, or Chris Davey, 614.387.9250.