Why You Should Attend

If you are a lawyer practicing in New York State who handles client funds, you must maintain an IOLA or other escrow account and must be aware of the ethical rules regarding such accounts. This panel will identify how ethical violations - even unwitting ones - can arise and will explain how violations are handled by the Attorney Disciplinary/Grievance Committees. The program will highlight an important case from the New York State Court of Appeals on the attorney duty to supervise escrow accounts and suggest best practices for setting up and managing your escrow accounts.


What You Will Learn

The difference between an IOLA account and a non-IOLA escrow account

Ethical requirements regarding opening and managing attorney escrow accounts, including IOLA accounts

What to do with escrow funds of missing clients, retainer fees and my bank's offer of an ATM card for my escrow account

Avoiding unintentional ethical violations that could result in disciplinary action

Best practices and practical advice on managing escrow accounts, including record-keeping procedures, how to supervise non-attorney staff who administer your escrow account and how partners must share oversight of escrow accounts

The perspective of the Grievance Committee on how to avoid violations and what to do if you are the subject of an investigation

How New York's legal profession protects law clients victimized by lawyer theft of escrow funds




Who Should Attend

All attorneys in New York State who handle, or who supervise others involved with, escrow accounts.


Cost: $99*


*PLI Offers Scholarships

Full and partial scholarships are available for judges, judicial law clerks, law professors, law students, attorneys 65 or older, law librarians, attorneys who work for nonprofit organizations, legal services organizations or government agencies, and unemployed attorneys. Please apply early as space may be limited for this seminar.