Violating trust account rules can subject a lawyer to disbarment, civil damages and even criminal charges. Protect yourself against a potential trust account violation by increasing your understanding of trust account compliance and the ethical implications of your conduct. This course will cover the five biggest trust account misunderstandings, and your duty to preserve and safeguard client funds and property. We’ll go over what are qualified and non-qualified funds, what does and doesn’t belong in a trust account, and the difference between commingling and safekeeping. We will discuss fact situations (and reported cases) where disputes have arisen, and strategies to resolve those conflicting claims. This course will also discuss the best practices for maintaining financial control of your legal practice.
Attorney at Law, Board Certified in Civil Trial and Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization; LawPay’s Director of Education, Ethics, and State Compliance.
Claude E. Ducloux is an attorney licensed in Texas, Colorado, and California who speaks nationally on legal ethics, law office management, and trial-related topics. In 2011, he won the highest statewide award from the State Bar of Texas for lifetime contribution to CLE and has been invited to speak in more than 500 programs since January 1, 2016. Claude has served as course director and creator of numerous CLE institutes and advanced courses.
Mr. Ducloux has a long legacy of bar service, including being President of the Austin Bar Association, and serving as Chair of almost every major bar-related entity, as well as the Texas Bar Foundation. He is a board-certified civil trial and appellate attorney in Texas.