Articles

Recent bank failures have caused concerns for lawyers holding client funds in their trust accounts. Many of our insureds have contacted Lawyers Mutual to ask questions about their ethical and malpractice exposure and any steps that they can take to protect themselves and their clients.  Read More +

Tips to avoid falling for counterfeit check scams, which are on the rise again. Read More +

A new issue in wire fraud regarding a fake sale. Read More +

Description of events that occurred during a wire fraud situation. Read More +

Information regarding handling an audit by the NC State Bar of your trust account. Read More +

Tips for avoiding wire fraud via questionable communications. Read More +

Lawyers Mutual discusses the recent trust account audit scam with the North Carolina State Bar. Read More +

Information regarding escheating processes and upcoming deadlines. Read More +

A review of the new trust accounting rules. Read More +

Tips to help you make sure your trust account is in compliance with NC State Bar regulations. Read More +

Information about the free online trust account CLE offered from the NC State Bar and NCBA to meet the new requirement. Read More +

Information regarding the new trust account amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Read More +

Trust Account Maintenance is an ongoing job. Below are 5 steps to assist with that process. Step 1:  Review all outstanding checks.  This must be done before you can truly evaluate the client ledger balances.  A ledger with a $0.00 balance listing checks that have not cleared the bank is a prob… Read More +

We have all read articles about disciplinary action being taken against an attorney where the cause was listed as “clerical errors”.  We envision an unorganized desk, and a bookkeeper shopping online, or chatting on Facebook.   I know from experience that is not typically the case.&#… Read More +

The State Bar continues to receive reports of frauds and scams on lawyer trust accounts resulting in six-figure losses.  The three major types of scams are 1) Email initiated counterfeit bank checks 2) Forged trust account checks, and 3) Compromised wire instructions.   The following is a brief s… Read More +

Have you found yourself stuck or at a loss for words when trying to explain your trust account to clients?  Especially trying to explain the trust account in terms your clients will understand (i.e., non legalese talk)?  As lawyers, you have lots of resources and CLE’s available to you to help … Read More +

Answers to questions that will help your trust account records pass to a NC State Bar audit. Read More +

Steps to properly manage the State Bar's quarterly trust account reconciliation Read More +

Checklist questionnaire to help improve management of your trust account Read More +

Information to make sure your trust account balances when checks are outstanding Read More +