March 17, 2010
Professionalism Event Features Clients' Security Fund Administrator
The administrator of the Supreme Court of Ohio Clients’ Security Fund spoke today of the need for attorneys to uphold the ideals of the legal profession. Janet Green Marbley delivered her remarks at the annual professionalism program co-sponsored by the Columbus Bar Association Professionalism Committee and Capital University Law School.
Marbley noted that while most lawyers observe high standards of integrity when entrusted with clients’ money and property, the dishonest acts of a few can affect the public’s image of and confidence in all legal professionals. The Clients’ Security Fund’s goal is to support public confidence in the legal profession by reimbursing law clients for losses sustained as a result of the dishonest conduct of their attorney.
The Supreme Court has the constitutional responsibility to oversee the practice of law in Ohio and has developed one of the most comprehensive disciplinary systems in the nation. The Court established three affiliated disciplinary offices to exercise independent responsibility in assisting the Court in meeting its responsibility as set forth in Section 5(B), Article IV of the Ohio Constitution.
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients’ Security Fund is established by Rule VIII of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio to administer the Clients’ Security Fund. The board determines the eligibility of claims filed with the Clients’ Security Fund and pays reparations of up to $75,000 to those who are harmed by the misconduct of lawyers. The fund was established in 1985 and is funded from attorney registration fees.
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.
The annual Professionalism Program began in 2003 as a project of the CBA Committee to bring attorneys and law students together for networking and a presentation on professionalism by a well-known attorney or judge. Recent speakers have included U.S. District Court Judges Algenon L. Marbley, James L. Graham, and Gregory L. Frost.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.