Come January 1, 2015, the Clients’ Security Fund will be known as the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection after the Ohio Supreme Court approved the renaming.

Created in 1985 by the Supreme Court to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement, or misappropriation, the fund is supported by attorney registration fees.

Fund Administrator Janet Green Marbley said there were two reasons the fund brought the name change proposal to the court: to provide a more accurate description of the fund and to come in line with the names of corresponding state and national organizations.

She emphasized, however, that the name change will not affect other aspects of the fund’s work.

“The proposed amendment will not in any way change the mission and purpose of the fund,” she said. “It is intended to reinforce the purpose and mission of the CSF by clarifying the role played by the fund in helping to improve the image of the legal profession.”

Ohio has more than 44,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than one-tenth of 1 percent of those attorneys is involved in CSF claims.

Clients who believe they have sustained financial losses resulting from attorney misconduct should contact the fund at 614.387.9390 or toll-free in Ohio at 1.800.231.1680.

Since its inception, the fund has allocated more than $19 million to 2,544 former law clients.

View the rules authorizing the name change.

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