FAQs

The Clients’ Security Fund (CSF) reimburses clients up to a limit of $100,000 for losses caused by the dishonest conduct of members of the D.C. Bar. Learn more.

The words “dishonest conduct” basically mean theft and include wrongful acts committed by a lawyer, such as embezzlement or the wrongful taking or conversion of money, property, or other things of value. “Dishonest conduct” does not include the negligent, inadequate, or ineffective performance of services.

First, the client’s loss must have been caused by the dishonest conduct of a member of the D.C. Bar. Second, the D.C. Bar member must have represented the claimant as an attorney or in another fiduciary capacity. Third, the client must have used all other available ways to recover the loss, including reasonable attempts to obtain payment from the lawyer by demand, insurance, or lawsuit.

Call the D.C. Bar at 202-780-2772, to speak to the Bar’s administrator for the Fund. If the general circumstances of your loss meet the Fund’s guidelines, an application for reimbursement will be sent to you.

You will receive a detailed application for reimbursement, which gives you an opportunity to describe the circumstances that resulted in financial loss. Receipts, copies of court orders, and other documents will be necessary to substantiate the facts in your application. One of the Fund’s volunteer Trustees will be assigned to your case. Generally, the final disposition takes about six months—depending upon the complexity of the situation involved. You will receive written notice about the disposition of your case. The Trustees’ decision is final.

Clients are not usually in attendance. However, the Trustees may determine that your presence would be necessary to assist in considering the claim.

No.

The client should submit with the application the following documents:

1. proof of the loss alleged in the claim;
2. evidence of an attorney/client or other fiduciary relationship;
3. records of the efforts made to recover the loss, including possible court action; and
4. information showing that the attorney is deceased, disciplined, or declared mentally incompetent.

There is no absolute right to reimbursement. The circumstances of each individual case will determine if the case meets the rules of the Fund. Certain kinds of losses—such as those resulting from negligence or other malpractice—may not be reimbursed. The Clients’ Security Fund is to be viewed as a Fund of last resort.

If you believe that your attorney provided negligent, ineffective, or inadequate representation, you may contact the Office of Disciplinary Counsel at 202-638-1501. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel serves as the Bar’s disciplinary arm. If you believe that your loss resulted from excessive fees, or misunderstanding of what fees should be paid for given services, you should contact the Bar’s Attorney/Client Arbitration Board at 202-780-2779.