The Oklahoma Bar Association Clients’ Security Fund will pay nearly $147,000 to 10 people who lost money or other property from the dishonest conduct of their attorney. The association is reimbursing money to the clients of seven deceased, suspended or former lawyers whose dishonest actions led to the losses.

OBA President D. Kenyon Williams Jr. of Sperry said, “The Clients’ Security Fund exists to protect the public’s trust in the legal profession. When former attorneys violate that trust through dishonest conduct, the fund helps to take care of affected clients. By sharing responsibility for these losses, our members reaffirm their commitment to integrity and accountability.”

Claims against the fund result when an attorney misappropriates client funds or property, then is disbarred, suspended or dies, and there is no other source for compensation or recovery.

The OBA Clients’ Security Fund Committee reviews client claims and annually makes recommendations to the OBA Board of Governors on the merits of those claims. Committee Chair Micheal Salem of Norman said claims typically arise when these former attorneys become unstable as a result of a personal crisis, substance abuse or illness and fail to follow the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct regarding the safeguarding of client funds or property.

“When an attorney acts unethically or illegally, it can harm the reputation of all Oklahoma lawyers,” Salem said. “That’s why every active Oklahoma attorney supports the Clients’ Security Fund through a portion of their annual bar dues. Since its establishment in 1965, the fund has returned more than $4.4 million to clients who suffered financial losses.”

Former or deceased attorneys for whom the OBA will be paying claims are: suspended attorney David E. Johnson, Tahlequah; Lee Griffin, Centerton, Arkansas, resigned from the OBA pending disciplinary action; Guy Wade Jackson, Edmond, resigned pending disciplinary action; Chad A. Greer, Tulsa, resigned pending disciplinary action; Michael Arnett, Oklahoma City, deceased; Tamara E. Hurd, Guthrie, deceased; and Michael Brogan, Mustang, deceased.

More information about the Clients’ Security Fund can be found on the OBA website at www.okbar.org/gc/clients-security-fund.

The 19,000-member Oklahoma Bar Association, headquartered in Oklahoma City, was created by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to advance the administration of justice and to foster and maintain learning, integrity, competence, public service and high standards of conduct among Oklahoma’s legal community.