State Bar Client Trust Account Protection Program

(a) Client trust account protection program requirements

The State Bar of California must establish and administer a Client Trust Account Protection Program for the protection of client funds held in trust by a licensee that facilitates the State Bar's detection and deterrence of client trust accounting misconduct.

(1) The State Bar must impose the following requirements under this program:

(A) Annual Trust Account Certification - All licensees must annually (1) report whether or not, at any time during the prior year, they were responsible for client funds and funds entrusted by others under the provisions of rule 1.15 of the Rules of Professional Conduct and (2) if they were responsible, certify that they are knowledgeable about, and in compliance with, applicable rules and statutes governing client trust accounts and the safekeeping of funds entrusted by clients and others; and

(B) Annual Trust Account Registration - All licensees who were responsible for client funds and funds entrusted by others under the provisions of rule 1.15 of the Rules of Professional Conduct must, annually, register each and every trust account in which the licensee held such funds at any time during the prior year by identifying account numbers and financial institutions in a manner prescribed by the State Bar for such reporting that will securely maintain the information submitted.

(2) Among the other requirements the State Bar may impose under this program are the following:

(A) Annual Self-Assessment - All licensees who were responsible, at any time during the prior year, for a client trust account under the provisions of rule 1.15 of the Rules of Professional Conduct must complete an annual self-assessment on client trust accounting duties and practices;

(B) Compliance Review - If selected by the State Bar, a licensee must complete and submit to the State Bar a client trust accounting compliance review to be conducted by a certified public accountant at the licensee's expense; and

(C) Additional Actions - If selected by the State Bar, an additional action or actions based on the results of a compliance review may include an investigative audit, a notice of mandatory corrective action, and a referral for disciplinary action.

(b) Authorization for the Board of Trustees of the State Bar to adopt rules and regulations

The Board of Trustees of the State Bar is authorized to formulate and adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and appropriate to comply with this rule, including a rule or regulation that defines a licensee who is responsible for client funds and funds entrusted by others under the provisions of rule 1.15 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

(c) Failure to comply with program

A licensee who fails to satisfy the requirements of this program must be enrolled as an inactive licensee of the State Bar under the rules to be adopted by the Board of Trustees of the State Bar. Inactive enrollment imposed for noncompliance with the requirements of this program is cumulative and does not preclude a disciplinary proceeding or other actions for violations of the State Bar Act, the Rules of Professional Conduct, or other applicable laws.

(d) Fees and penalties

The State Bar has the authority to set and collect appropriate fees and penalties.