Clients’ Security Fund

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.