Saturday, December 03, 2016

Ohio Crooked Lawyers' Client Relief Fund Shells Out $782K+ For Fiscal Year 2016; Payments Reimbursed Victimized Clients For Attorneys' Failure To Return Unearned Fees, Thefts By Fiduciaries, Filching Of Settlement Proceeds

In Columbus, Ohio, Court News Ohio reports:
  • One hundred and fifty clients who sustained financial losses resulting from the dishonest conduct of their Ohio attorney were reimbursed more than $782,000 in Fiscal Year 2016, according to a report released [] by the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection [of the Ohio Supreme Court].

    The fund seeks to promote public confidence in the legal profession by reimbursing law clients.(1) The claims eligible for reimbursement resulted from the dishonest conduct of 48 attorneys. Of the claims approved, 125 were for unearned fees, 19 were for thefts by fiduciaries, and four involved theft-of-settlement proceeds.

    Also in the report:
  • 97 claimants received 100 percent reimbursement.
  • 40 claims were ruled ineligible.
  • One claimant received the maximum ($75,000) award amount.
  • The fund was created in 1985 by court rule and is primarily supported by attorney registration fees. A seven-member board of commissioners appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court determines claim eligibility and manages assets.

    Since its inception, the fund has allocated more than $20 million for 2,830 former law clients.
Source: Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection Releases Fiscal Year Report.

Go here for the Lawyers' Fund For Client Protection 2016 Annual Report.
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(1) For similar "attorney ripoff reimbursement funds" that attempt to clean up the financial mess created by the dishonest conduct of lawyers licensed in other states and Canada, see:
Maps available courtesy of The National Client Protection Organization, Inc.

posted by Home Equity Theft Reporter at 4:06 AM